WHEREAS,  substance use disorders occur when the recurrent use of alcohol or drugs causes clinically and functionally significant impairment, such as health problems, disability and inability to meet major responsibilities at work, school or home; and

WHEREAS,  rates of serious substance use disorders, including opioid addiction, are rising in Maine; and

WHEREAS,  children are especially susceptible to influences that may lead them to experiment with drugs and alcohol and eventually develop substance use disorders; and

WHEREAS,  effective substance use prevention education brings to children the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize the risks of substance use; and

WHEREAS,  successful substance use prevention education involves schools, law enforcement, community organizations and individuals; and

WHEREAS,  Maine’s system of learning results includes substance use prevention education among the health education content areas; and

WHEREAS,  the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services have collaborated to produce the Maine School Substance Use Policy Guide for schools to use when adopting a substance use prevention education policy and curriculum; and

WHEREAS,  the Maine School Substance Use Policy Guide provides a toolkit for schools to use to implement substance use prevention education policies and curricula; and

WHEREAS,  the Legislature recognizes the importance of local policies and curricula to implement effective substance use prevention education programs; and

WHEREAS,  the Legislature encourages the ongoing development of the Maine School Substance Use Policy Guide and its use in schools; now, therefore, be it