Title IV, Part A: Safe and Drug Free Schools

Zachary Community School District uses the Louisiana Caring Communities Youth Survey to assess students’ involvement in a specific set of problem behaviors, as well as their exposure to a set of scientifically validated risk and protective factors. This survey, in conjunction with other factors, is utilized to determine what activities and services are conducted on the school and district level. Also, there are parent and student surveys conducted annually about their school’s climate.

Zachary Community School District utilizes the JPAMS system that evaluates the number of referrals relative to violence, drug or alcohol use, distribution, bullying, etc. This information is utilized to address activities at the school and district level. (e.g. character education classes)

Zachary Community School District’s Safe and Drug Free program resources are used to support student academic achievement through programming that: 

• prevents violence, illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in and around schools

Zachary Community Elementary Schools use PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies). This curriculum is a program that facilitates the development of self-control, emotional awareness, and interpersonal problem-solving skills.   The PATHS Curriculum enhances the social competence and social understanding of children, as well as to facilitate educational processes in the classroom.

Zachary Community Middle and High Schools use Botvin Life Skills Training.  This program is an effective research-validated substance abuse prevention program with is proven to help students develop essential skills to reduce tobacco, alcohol, drug abuse and violence. This comprehensive program provides adolescents and young teens with the confidence and skills necessary to successfully handle challenging situations.  This program promotes healthy alternatives to risky behavior through activities designed to:

1. Teach students the necessary skills to resist social (peer) pressures to smoke, drink, and use drugs
2. Help students to develop greater self-esteem and self-confidence
3. Enable students to effectively cope with anxiety
4. Increase their knowledge of the immediate consequences of substance abuse
5. Enhance cognitive and behavioral competency to reduce and prevent a variety of health risk behaviors

• involves parents and communities and coordinates programming with related federal, state, school, and community efforts

State level conferences (Louisiana Counseling Association and Louisiana Association  of Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities) attended by counselors, social workers, administrators in the areas of Safe and Drug Free schools and behavioral issues. The purchase of materials and supplies that deal with promoting Safe and Drug Free Schools at the school level such as: DVD’s on Drug Prevention and Bullying, security and monitoring devices, cameras, Raptor program, etc.

DARE Program is conducted at all three elementary schools. Speakers from the coroners’ office, police department, state police, fire department who address the pitfalls of drug and alcohol use. Every 2 years, a mock demonstration takes place to show the detrimental impact and effects of utilizing drugs and alcohol. Collaboration with local non-profit organization with grant that deals with safe and drug free schools.

Character moderators, at each school, that teach character education to students who need assistance within the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Contact: Gwendolyn Longmire, Director of Federal Programs