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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 193
BY REPRESENTATIVE HODGES
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To create a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of drug abuse prevention and
education programs in public schools and to submit a written report of findings and
recommendations to the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on
Education, the House Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Senate Committee
on Health and Welfare not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 2015
Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, as stated in the Constitution of Louisiana, it is the goal of the public
education system to provide learning environments and experiences at all stages of human
development that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that every
individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential; and
WHEREAS, in R.S. 17:402, the legislature finds that the use and abuse of alcohol,
drugs, and other substances among the children of school age in this state is a problem of
serious concern and destructive societal impact and that the incidence of alcohol, drug, and
substance abuse among the young is high; and
WHEREAS, the legislature further finds in R.S. 17:402 that substance abuse leads
to serious consequences and impairs one's ability to perform normally and productively in
his educational and social environment and that dependence on alcohol, drugs, or other
substances is an illness that can be prevented, identified, and treated; and
WHEREAS, finally, in R.S. 17:402, the legislature finds that substantial alleviation
of these problems may result from the development and implementation of comprehensive
education programs and counseling in the public school systems of this state, combined with
an enhanced law enforcement effort in and around schools; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 193
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WHEREAS, there is some concern among parents and citizens that the education of
Louisiana's young people relative to drug abuse is not as effective as it could be and should
be improved in order to ensure the lifelong health of the state's citizens; and
WHEREAS, drug abuse in Louisiana has a devastating impact on families and
communities; and
WHEREAS, drug use among students has a highly detrimental impact on their
educational prospects and is a major factor contributing to the incidence of school dropouts;
and
WHEREAS, education is the key to curbing drug abuse by Louisiana's children and
to building stronger families and a healthier future for Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, in order to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every
student an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential, it is imperative that a thorough
study and evaluation be conducted on drug abuse prevention and education programs in
public schools so that determinations can be made as to how the state can best provide
experiences and opportunities to students that help them succeed in all aspects of life.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby creates
a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of drug abuse prevention and education
programs in public schools throughout the state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
following members:
(1)A representative of the state Department of Education, designated by the state
superintendent of education.
(2)A representative of the Department of Health and Hospitals, designated by
the secretary of the department.
(3)A representative of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, youth
services, office of juvenile justice, designated by the secretary of the department.
(4)The president of the Louisiana DARE Officers Association or his designee.
(5)One local school superintendent, designated by the president of the Louisiana
Association of School Superintendents.
(6)One public high school principal, designated by the president of the Louisiana
Association of Principals. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 193
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(7)A representative of the Louisiana Association of School Executives,
designated by the executive director of the association.
(8)A representative of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, designated by the
president of the federation.
(9)A representative of the Louisiana Association of Educators, designated by the
president of the association.
(10)A representative of the Association of Professional Educators of Louisiana,
designated by the executive director of the association.
(11)The president of the Louisiana School Counselor Association or his designee.
(12)A representative of the Louisiana Assembly on School-Based Health Centers,
designated by the executive director of the assembly.
(13)A representative of the Schools First Project of the Juvenile Justice Project
of Louisiana, designated by the director of the Schools First Project.
(14)The executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the National Association
of Social Workers or his designee.
(15)A representative of the office of the governor, designated by the governor.
(16)The executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families
or his designee.
(17)The chief executive officer of the Louisiana Public Health Institute or his
designee.
(18)The executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the American Academy
of Pediatrics or his designee.
(19)A representative of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, designated
by the executive director of the association.
(20)The presiding officer of Louisiana Teen Challenge or his designee.
(21)A church pastor selected by the presiding officer of Louisiana Teen
Challenge.
(22)A representative of the Louisiana School Psychological Association,
designated by the president of the association.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of
findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee ENROLLEDHCR NO. 193
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on Education, the House Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Senate Committee on
Health and Welfare not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 2015 Regular
Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this report shall include but need not be limited
to the identification of potential areas of improvement with respect to drug abuse prevention
and education programs in public schools and any recommendations for related legislation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the executive director of the Governor's Office
of Safe and Drug Free Communities or his designee shall be responsible for designating staff
to assist the task force in performing its duties and, by August 1, 2014, convening the task
force for its first meeting, at which the task force shall elect officers and adopt rules of
procedure, a work schedule, and any additional measures that it deems necessary for the
timely performance of its duties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the task force shall serve without
compensation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the secretary of the
Department of Health and Hospitals, the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and
Corrections, and to the executive director of the Governor's Office of Safe and Drug Free
Communities, who shall be responsible for transmitting a copy to each of the groups,
organizations, and offices from which the members of the task force are being selected or
designated.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE