TOWARD COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL DRUG POLICY IN ONTARIO

The study reported here examines the development and implementation of School Drug Policy in Ontario Boards of Education, the components of these policies, and the composition of policy development committees. Data from 125 Boards of Education were obtained from responses to a qu estionnaire administered in the Fall of 1991. Findings from the study indicate that school drug policies are increasingly comprehensive-incl uding not only disciplinary measures, but also a preventive curriculum and early intervention component. The composition of policy developme nt working groups normally consisted of such groups as board personnel , teachers, and practitioners from other fields. Students were not oft en included in the process of policy development. Thus, the developmen t and implementation of school drug policy in Ontario indicates a ''to p down'' rather than ''bottom up'' approach.