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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 HLS 14RS-5550 ENGROSSED
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WHEREAS, finally, in R.S. 17:402, the legislature finds that substantial alleviation1
of these problems may result from the development and implementation of comprehensive2
education programs and counseling in the public school systems of this state, combined with3
an enhanced law enforcement effort in and around schools; and4
WHEREAS, there is some concern among parents and citizens that the education of5
Louisiana's young people relative to drug abuse is not as effective as it could be and should6
be improved in order to ensure the lifelong health of the state's citizens; and7
WHEREAS, drug abuse in Louisiana has a devastating impact on families and8
communities; and9
WHEREAS, drug use among students has a highly detrimental impact on their10
educational prospects and is a major factor contributing to the incidence of school dropouts;11
and12
WHEREAS, education is the key to curbing drug abuse by Louisiana's children and13
to building stronger families and a healthier future for Louisiana; and14
WHEREAS, in order to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every15
student an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential, it is imperative that a thorough16
study and evaluation be conducted on drug abuse prevention and education programs in17
public schools so that determinations can be made as to how the state can best provide18
experiences and opportunities to students that help them succeed in all aspects of life.19
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby creates20
a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of drug abuse prevention and education21
programs in public schools throughout the state.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the23
following members:24
(1)A representative of the state Department of Education, designated by the state25
superintendent of education.26
(2)A representative of the Department of Health and Hospitals, designated by27
the secretary of the department.28
(3)A representative of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, youth29
services, office of juvenile justice, designated by the secretary of the department.30 HLS 14RS-5550 ENGROSSED
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(4)The president of the Louisiana DARE Officers Association or his designee.1
(5)One local school superintendent, designated by the president of the Louisiana2
Association of School Superintendents.3
(6)One public high school principal, designated by the president of the Louisiana4
Association of Principals.5
(7)A representative of the Louisiana Association of School Executives,6
designated by the executive director of the association.7
(8)A representative of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, designated by the8
president of the federation.9
(9)A representative of the Louisiana Association of Educators, designated by the10
president of the association.11
(10)A representative of the Association of Professional Educators of Louisiana,12
designated by the executive director of the association.13
(11)The president of the Louisiana School Counselor Association or his designee.14
(12)A representative of the Louisiana Assembly on School-Based Health Centers,15
designated by the executive director of the assembly.16
(13)A representative of the Schools First Project of the Juvenile Justice Project17
of Louisiana, designated by the director of the Schools First Project.18
(14)The executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the National Association19
of Social Workers or his designee.20
(15)A representative of the office of the governor, designated by the governor.21
(16)The executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families22
or his designee.23
(17)The chief executive officer of the Louisiana Public Health Institute or his24
designee.25
(18)The executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the American Academy26
of Pediatrics or his designee.27
(19)A representative of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, designated28
by the executive director of the association.29
(20)The presiding officer of Louisiana Teen Challenge or his designee.30 HLS 14RS-5550 ENGROSSED
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(21)A church pastor selected by the presiding officer of Louisiana Teen1
Challenge.2
(22)A representative of the Louisiana School Psychological Association,3
designated by the president of the association.4
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of5
findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee6
on Education, the House Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Senate Committee on7
Health and Welfare not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 2015 Regular8
Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.9
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this report shall include but need not be limited10
to the identification of potential areas of improvement with respect to drug abuse prevention11
and education programs in public schools and any recommendations for related legislation.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the executive director of the Governor's Office13
of Safe and Drug Free Communities or his designee shall be responsible for designating staff14
to assist the task force in performing its duties and, by August 1, 2014, convening the task15
force for its first meeting, at which the task force shall elect officers and adopt rules of16
procedure, a work schedule, and any additional measures that it deems necessary for the17
timely performance of its duties.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the task force shall serve without19
compensation.20
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the21
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the secretary of the22
Department of Health and Hospitals, the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and23
Corrections, and to the executive director of the Governor's Office of Safe and Drug Free24
Communities, who shall be responsible for transmitting a copy to each of the groups,25
organizations, and offices from which the members of the task force are being selected or26
designated.27 HLS 14RS-5550 ENGROSSED
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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 22 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.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original
resolution.
1. Adds to task force membership: (a) the presiding officer of La. Teen Challenge
or his designee; (b) a church pastor selected by the presiding officer of La. Teen
Challenge; and (c) a representative of the La. School Psychological Assoc.,
designated by the president of the association.