Sandy Spring Friends School
Statement on Substance Abuse

Sandy Spring Friends School holds that use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco by students is inconsistent with our goals as a school and counter to our values as a Quaker community. Use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco by underage students is illegal, and such use places one's actions in conflict with Quaker testimonies of honesty and integrity. Substance use interferes with interpersonal relationships, stifles effective learning, clouds spiritual clarity, and weakens relationships. Moreover, production and distribution systems for illegal drugs are associated with violence, tragedy, and the degradation of families and communities. Consequently, the use and distribution of illegal drugs are counter to Quaker testimonies of seeking justice and removing the causes of violent conflict and social strife.

The SSFS community recognizes that students need guidance to make healthy decisions, resist negative forms of peer pressure, develop positive emotional, social, vocational and spiritual goals, and lead a disciplined and productive life. These are best accomplished through active, ongoing cooperation among parents, students, the School, and others who influence each child's life. Parents are encouraged to discuss alcohol, drug, and tobacco use with their children throughout childhood in developmentally appropriate ways. In addition, parents are encouraged to make sure social activities for adolescents adhere to sound practices such as those outlined in the Parents Association Party Statement.

It is the School's goal to create a community free from the strife of substance use. Students and others who are wrestling with substance use need the compassionate support of the community in seeking a life free of chemical dependency. Students who initiate a request for help with these issues will be supported through non-punitive means, such as counseling and treatment, because substance abuse and addiction are viewed as serious health issues. Possession and distribution of illegal substances on campus is a serious threat to the community, and the School will address such incidents as willful endangerment of the community.

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