{"data":{"id":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-115c-81.20","jurisdiction":"us-nc","citation":"N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-81.20","heading":"Alcohol and drug use prevention education.","body":"(a)\tInstruction shall be provided in alcohol and drug use prevention education from kindergarten through high school.\n(b)\tThe State Board of Education shall develop and maintain a recommended list of alcohol and drug use prevention education materials that include components for teacher training and ongoing assessment and evaluation to verify success and ensure the use of up-to-date information and strategies.\n(c)\tThe Department of Public Instruction shall do the following:\n(1)\tWork to strengthen instructional offerings in the content and skill areas in which alcohol and drug use prevention education is addressed.\n(2)\tDevelop curricular materials and resources that meet, extend, and supplement drug and alcohol education as outlined in the standard course of study and the teacher handbook for the competency-based curriculum.\n(3)\tRecommend to the State Board of Education any drug use prevention education support materials that should be removed from or added to the recommended list of curricular resources developed and maintained by the State Board of Education.\n(d)\tLocal boards of education may select supplemental alcohol and drug use prevention education materials from the list maintained by the State Board of Education or develop their own supplemental materials to be approved by the State Board of Education.\n(e)\tLocal boards of education shall do the following:\n(1)\tImplement an approved alcohol and drug use prevention education as a primary part of their comprehensive health education program.\n(2)\tProvide for ongoing evaluation of drug use prevention education resources, to include participation in ongoing evaluations with the Department of Public Instruction.\n(f)\tThe Department of Public Instruction, in conjunction with local school administrative units, shall provide for professional development to train educators and support personnel to implement a comprehensive alcohol and drug use prevention education program.\n(g)\tSequential, age-appropriate instruction shall be provided that includes all of the following:\n(1)\tReaches all students in all grades.\n(2)\tPresents a clear and consistent message that the use of alcohol and unlawful drugs and the misuse of other drugs are unhealthy and harmful.\n(3)\tReflects current research and theory.\n(4)\tIncludes all abusable substances.\n(5)\tUtilizes information that is current and accurate.\n(6)\tInvolves students in active \"hands-on\" learning experiences.\n(7)\tIntegrates substance abuse education with other health and social issues and other subject and skill areas of the standard course of study.\n(8)\tPromotes understanding and respect for the law and values of society.\n(9)\tEncourages healthy, safe, and responsible attitudes and behaviors.\n(10)\tIncludes strategies to involve parents, family members, and the community.\n(11)\tIncludes information on intervention and treatment services.\n(12)\tIs continually open to revision, expansion, and improvement. (2017-126, s. 5.)","path":["Chapter 115C. Elementary and Secondary Education.","SUBCHAPTER IV. EDUCATION PROGRAM.","Article 8. General Education.","Part 1. Courses of Study."],"source_url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_115C/GS_115C-81.20.html","current_through":"S.L. 2026-30","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T18:17:42Z","sha256":"a1b4a4150aedda6e5bf727377ddb52d07f363efda704f965fc49dee724fce3d9","source_id":"us-nc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-115c-81.15","next":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-115c-81.25"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}