The Drug Policy Alliance joined a letter of support (PDF) for the Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act (H.R. 3409, S.2111).  The federal legislation would enable schools to use Title I funds, including Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities funds, to implement just and proven programs, such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, to replace counterproductive, zero-tolerance discipline policies in our schools.

DPA recognizes that too many schools rely on punitive consequences such as expulsion, suspension or exclusion from extracurricular activities to respond to students who break school rules regarding alcohol and other drugs. Zero-tolerance policies ignore the welfare of young people in need of help, and counter-productively remove them from connection to caring adults at school and structure and supervision during the peak hours of adolescent drug use from 3 to 6 p.m. 

It is time we open additional federal funding sources for positive and proven means of promoting school discipline while fostering a positive school environment. We also joined a letter of recommendation (PDF) to strengthen the legislation to allow support for a range of proven approaches, including restorative practices in schools.

This legislative effort aligns with one of the core tenets of our comprehensive model for schools outlined in our publication Beyond Zero Tolerance: a Reality-Based Approach to Drug Education and School Discipline (PDF). The three mutually reinforcing elements include: education, intervention/assistance and restorative consequences.

DPA joins the effort spearheaded by the Dignity in Schools Campaign, a coalition of policy advocates, parent and student organizers, educators and lawyers in a campaign to promote local and national alternatives to a culture of zero-tolerance, punishment and removal.

The Act is sponsored by Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL, 17th Dist.) in the House and co-sponsored by Sens. Obama (D-IL) and Durbin (D-IL) in the Senate.