(a) Each district board of education shall establish a comprehensive program of prevention, intervention, referral for evaluation, referral for treatment and continuity of care for student alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse in the public elementary and secondary schools of the district according to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-10 .

1. The purpose of the prevention component of the program shall be to:

i. Keep students from using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs;

ii. Reduce the incidence and prevalence of student alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse;

iii. Reduce the age of onset of students' first use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs;

iv. Reduce the factors that place students at risk for involvement with alcohol, tobacco or other drugs through school and community-based planning processes;

v. Contribute to the development of school environments and alternative activities that are alcohol, tobacco and other drug-free;

vi. Increase the knowledge and skills of students, staff and community members for avoiding the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; and

vii. Actively involve staff, parents and other community members in the development and implementation of prevention program plans.

2. The purpose of the intervention, referral for evaluation and referral for treatment components of the program shall be to:

i. Identify students who are at risk for, or who have exhibited, alcohol, tobacco or other drug abuse or related problems;

ii. Help students or their families who have requested assistance for an alcohol, tobacco or other drug abuse problem;

iii. Make a preliminary assessment of a student's need for educational programs, supportive services or treatment which extends beyond the general school program by virtue of the use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs by the student or the student's family;

iv. Refer students for evaluation to make a positive determination regarding a student's need for alcohol, tobacco or other drug treatment; and

v. Help a student or a student's family follow through on the recommendations of an evaluation which has positively determined the harmful use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs by the student or the student's family.

3. The purpose of the continuity of care component of the program shall be to:

i. Assist with the provision of educational programs and services for students in treatment; and

ii. Plan and provide supportive services for students who are returning from treatment.

4. Each district board of education shall ensure that all educational staff members receive in-service training in alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse prevention and intervention according to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-3 and 15. The in-service training shall be updated annually in order to ensure educational staff members have the most current information available on the subject of substance abuse and the district's comprehensive alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse program, policies and procedures.

5. Substance awareness coordinators employed by district boards of education shall assist local school districts in the effective implementation of the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-1 through 18 and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-3 through 7.

6. Each district board of education shall establish educational programs on alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse for parents and guardians according to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-16 and 17(a) and offered at times and places convenient to the parents and guardians of enrolled students.

7. Each district board of education shall make and enforce regulations to prohibit the smoking of any substance and the use of tobacco products anywhere in its buildings or on school grounds, except as part of a classroom instruction or theatrical production, according to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 26:3D-17 .