Troop 613

To: All members, leaders, and parents of Troop 613

Subject: Substance Abuse/Smoking Policy

From: Troop Committee

"A scout is clean."

Keeping the body clean of harmful products and understanding moral responsibility are very important in the development of a Scout’s character. Each Scout is expected to obey the Scout and community laws by not possessing or abusing substances, including alcohol, tobacco products, controlled substances, illegal drugs or smoking of any substance. Pursuant to this are examples of activities that will not be acceptable in Troop 613, including but not limited to:

a. Smoking of any and all substances including tobacco products, any type of paper product, or items found in nature including any type of plant, such as hollow reeds leaves, grass, etc.

b. Possession/consumption/distribution of any type of alcohol or imitation alcoholic beverages. This includes consumption of any medicinal product that contains alcohol such as cough syrup, where the consumption is beyond that prescribed on the container or dictated by the Scout’s parent. Medicines of this type should be in the original container and the adult leader for the event should be made aware of the Scout’s need and dosage/timetable for consumption.

c. Possession /consumption/distribution of any substance deemed illegal by local, state, or federal laws ( example: pot/weed, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD/acid, etc.).

d. Consumption of items to achieve a "high" that are legal but not intended for human consumption but can be used to achieve a "high" thru abuse. (Propane, inhalants, glue, etc).

The above rules apply to all adults and Scouts involved and participating in Troop/Scouting activities with the following exception. Adults may consume tobacco products as long as reasonable care is taken to not consume the product in view of the Scouts. There are no other exceptions.

The following will be used as guidelines by the adult leader in charge of the activity in dealing with instances where the above policies or not followed.

1. In the event that the Scout violates either item "a" or "b" above, the articles will be confiscated by an adult leader. For the first infraction, the Scout shall be verbally reprimanded by the adult leader in charge of the activity and the parents informed of the infraction as soon as conveniently possible. Second infraction will result in the Scout being verbally reprimanded, barred from participating in the next activity, and the parents informed of the infraction as soon as conveniently possible. The third infraction will result in the Scout being verbally reprimanded, the parents will be informed of the infraction and required to immediately remove their Scout from the Troops activity and barred from participating in the next activity. Further violations will result in Scout/parent/Scoutmaster conferences and Troop committee review. In the event that an adult violates the policy, the adult leader in charge, will ask the offender to desist or leave the activity as appropriate.

2. In the event that the Scout violates either item "c" or "d" above, the Scout’s parents will be called. The parents will be informed of the infraction and required to immediately remove their Scout from the Troops activity and barred from participating in the next activity. If the Troop is not attending a local council camp the parents will be responsible for arranging and paying transportation cost to return the Scout to their custody. This violation will result in Scout/parent/Scoutmaster conferences and Troop committee review. If an adult violates this policy, they will be asked to leave the activity immediately.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call either the Committee Chair or the Scoutmaster.