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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 193
BY REPRESENTATIVE HODGES
STUDENTS: Creates a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of drug abuse
prevention and education programs in public schools
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To create a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of drug abuse prevention and2
education programs in public schools and to submit a written report of findings and3
recommendations to the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on4
Education, the House Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Senate Committee5
on Health and Welfare not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 20156
Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.7
WHEREAS, as stated in the Constitution of Louisiana, it is the goal of the public8
education system to provide learning environments and experiences at all stages of human9
development that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that every10
individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential; and11
WHEREAS, in R.S. 17:402, the legislature finds that the use and abuse of alcohol,12
drugs, and other substances among the children of school age in this state is a problem of13
serious concern and destructive societal impact and that the incidence of alcohol, drug, and14
substance abuse among the young is high; and15
WHEREAS, the legislature further finds in R.S. 17:402 that substance abuse leads16
to serious consequences and impairs one's ability to perform normally and productively in17
his educational and social environment and that dependence on alcohol, drugs, or other18
substances is an illness that can be prevented, identified, and treated; and19
WHEREAS, finally, in R.S. 17:402, the legislature finds that substantial alleviation20
of these problems may result from the development and implementation of comprehensive21 HLS 14RS-5550 ORIGINAL
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education programs and counseling in the public school systems of this state, combined with1
an enhanced law enforcement effort in and around schools; and2
WHEREAS, there is some concern among parents and citizens that the education of3
Louisiana's young people relative to drug abuse is not as effective as it could be and should4
be improved in order to ensure the lifelong health of the state's citizens; and5
WHEREAS, drug abuse in Louisiana has a devastating impact on families and6
communities; and7
WHEREAS, drug use among students has a highly detrimental impact on their8
educational prospects and is a major factor contributing to the incidence of school dropouts;9
and10
WHEREAS, education is the key to curbing drug abuse by Louisiana's children and11
to building stronger families and a healthier future for Louisiana; and12
WHEREAS, in order to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every13
student an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential, it is imperative that a thorough14
study and evaluation be conducted on drug abuse prevention and education programs in15
public schools so that determinations can be made as to how the state can best provide16
experiences and opportunities to students that help them succeed in all aspects of life.17
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby creates18
a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of drug abuse prevention and education19
programs in public schools throughout the state.20
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the21
following members:22
(1)A representative of the state Department of Education, designated by the state23
superintendent of education.24
(2)A representative of the Department of Health and Hospitals, designated by25
the secretary of the department.26
(3)A representative of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, youth27
services, office of juvenile justice, designated by the secretary of the department.28
(4)The president of the Louisiana DARE Officers Association or his designee.29 HLS 14RS-5550 ORIGINAL
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(5)One local school superintendent, designated by the president of the Louisiana1
Association of School Superintendents.2
(6)One public high school principal, designated by the president of the Louisiana3
Association of Principals.4
(7)A representative of the Louisiana Association of School Executives,5
designated by the executive director of the association.6
(8)A representative of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, designated by the7
president of the federation.8
(9)A representative of the Louisiana Association of Educators, designated by the9
president of the association.10
(10)A representative of the Association of Professional Educators of Louisiana,11
designated by the executive director of the association.12
(11)The president of the Louisiana School Counselor Association or his designee.13
(12)A representative of the Louisiana Assembly on School-Based Health Centers,14
designated by the executive director of the assembly.15
(13)A representative of the Schools First Project of the Juvenile Justice Project16
of Louisiana, designated by the director of the Schools First Project.17
(14)The executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the National Association18
of Social Workers or his designee.19
(15)A representative of the office of the governor, designated by the governor.20
(16)The executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families21
or his designee.22
(17)The chief executive officer of the Louisiana Public Health Institute or his23
designee.24
(18)The executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the American Academy25
of Pediatrics or his designee.26
(19)A representative of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, designated27
by the executive director of the association.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of29
findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee30 HLS 14RS-5550 ORIGINAL
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on Education, the House Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Senate Committee on1
Health and Welfare not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 2015 Regular2
Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this report shall include but need not be limited4
to the identification of potential areas of improvement with respect to drug abuse prevention5
and education programs in public schools and any recommendations for related legislation.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the executive director of the Governor's Office7
of Safe and Drug Free Communities or his designee shall be responsible for designating staff8
to assist the task force in performing its duties and, by August 1, 2014, convening the task9
force for its first meeting, at which the task force shall elect officers and adopt rules of10
procedure, a work schedule, and any additional measures that it deems necessary for the11
timely performance of its duties.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the task force shall serve without13
compensation.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the15
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the secretary of the16
Department of Health and Hospitals, the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and17
Corrections, and to the executive director of the Governor's Office of Safe and Drug Free18
Communities, who shall be responsible for transmitting a copy to each of the groups,19
organizations, and offices from which the members of the task force are being selected or20
designated.21
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Hodges HCR No. 193
Creates a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of drug abuse prevention and
education programs in public schools. Provides that the task force shall have 19 members
who shall serve without compensation. Provides that the task force report study findings and
recommendations to the House and Senate education committees and House and Senate
health and welfare committees prior to the 2015 R.S. and that the report shall include the
identification of potential areas of improvement with respect to drug abuse education and
any recommendations for related legislation. Provides that the executive director of the
Governor's Office of Safe and Drug Free Communities or his designee shall designate staff
to assist the task force and shall convene the first meeting by Aug. 1, 2014.