Alabama § 16-40A-3 - Minimum Contents to Be Included in Drug Education Program or Curriculum; Instruction Related to Fentanyl Prevention and Drug Poisoning Awareness.

§ 16-40A-3. Minimum Contents to Be Included in Drug Education Program or Curriculum; Instruction Related to Fentanyl Prevention and Drug Poisoning Awareness.

(a) Any program or curriculum in the public schools of this state that includes drug education or instructs on the use of drugs or alcohol, at a minimum, shall include all of the following:

(1) Age-appropriate, developmentally-based drug and alcohol education and prevention programs that address the legal, social, and health consequences of drug and alcohol use and that provide information about effective techniques for resisting peer pressure to use illicit drugs or alcohol for students in all grades of the public schools from early childhood level through grade 12.

(2) Information conveying to students that the use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful and is punishable by fines and imprisonment.

(3) Standards of conduct that are applicable to students and employees in all public schools and that, at a minimum, clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on school premises, or as part of any activities of the school.

(4) Research-based instruction related to fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness pursuant to subsection (b).

(5) A clear statement that sanctions, consistent with local, state, and federal law, up to and including expulsion or termination of employment and referral for prosecution, will be imposed on students and employees who violate the standards of conduct required by subdivision (3). A description of those sanctions shall be included.

(b) Commencing with the 2024-2025 school year, each local education agency shall annually provide research-based instruction related to fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades six through 12 in a manner comparable to instruction provided for other drug and alcohol education and prevention programs.

(1) The instruction required by this subsection shall include all of the following:

a. Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to fentanyl.

b. Awareness of local school and community resources and any processes involved in accessing those resources.

c. Health education that includes information about substance use and abuse, including youth substance use and abuse.

(2) The instruction required by this subsection may be provided by an entity or an employee or agent of an entity selected by the local education agency that is:

a. A public or private institution of higher education.

b. A library.

c. A community service organization.

d. A religious organization.

e. A local public health agency.

f. An organization employing mental health professionals.

g. An employee of the local education agency.