Drug Education Blog

A growing international body of research demonstrates that restorative action-based practices in schools contribute to safer and more productive learning environments for both staff and students (Skiba & Sprague for ASCD, 2008).

A recent study by the Consortium on Chicago School Research also finds that it is the quality of the relationships between students and staff and between staff and parents that create safe schools (Justice Policy Institute, 2011).

In addition, evidence suggests that a better way to handle substance use in schools is to focus on restoring the social bonds and relationships that are crucial for building personal resiliency. In other words, schools may get better results from promoting health and healthy relationships than from adding threats of punishment to the learning environment.

These issues are discussed in a new School Policy Brief on The Ethics of Risk and Resilience. The table below indicates elements of effective school policies to address the harms related to substance use.

Other helpful links for supporting a more effective approach:

Health Promoting Policies to build school connectedness and foster social and emotional competence

Health-Promoting School Environments to ensure students feel safe from physical and emotional harm, secure in their relationships with teachers and peers, and valued as important members of their school