This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Drug Abuse Education Act of 1971."

The State Superintendent of Education shall, at least 30 days prior to the 1973 Regular Session and each regular session thereafter, transmit to the members of the state board, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Chairman of the Senate and the Chairman of the House Education Committees a report as to the status of the drug abuse education program together with any recommendations for further improvement or modification.

As used in this chapter, the term "drug" shall include barbiturates, central nervous system stimulants, hallucinogenics, and all other drugs to which the narcotic and drug abuse laws of the United States apply. It shall also include alcoholic and intoxicating liquor and beverages and tobacco.

The purpose of this chapter is to insure the development of a comprehensive drug abuse education program for all children and youth in grades one through 12. It is the legislative intent that this program shall teach the adverse and dangerous effects on the human mind and body of drugs and that such instruction shall be intensive and that it shall be given immediate emphasis, beginning with the 1971-72 school year. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the voluntary services of persons from the professions of clergy, education, medicine, law enforcement, social services and such other professionally and occupationally qualified individuals as can make a contribution to this program be utilized in its implementation so that the highest possible degree of expertise may be brought to bear.

(a) The State Superintendent of Education shall administer this chapter pursuant to regulations adopted by the State Board of Education. In administering this chapter, the superintendent shall seek and ask for advice and assistance from the medical association of the State of Alabama and take into consideration the advice of the Department of Public Health.

(b) Priorities for the implementation of this program shall include the following:

(1) The implementation of in-service education programs for teachers, administrators and other personnel. Special emphasis shall be placed on methods and materials necessary for the effective teaching of drug abuse education. In-service teacher education materials which are based on individual performance and designed for use with a minimum of supervision shall be developed and made available to all county and city school systems;

(2) Establishing resource centers located in various regions of the state for the purpose of assisting the Department of Education in coordinating drug abuse education activities in that region;

(3) Expanding degree programs for the preparation of drug education specialists. Special attention shall be given to performance based criteria and to the development and articulation of appropriate drug abuse education courses at junior colleges;

(4) Designing programs for the selection and training of school paraprofessional personnel and personnel of nonschool health or health related agencies; and

(5) Implementing the provisions of this chapter to insure that actual pupil instruction in drug abuse education will begin with the opening of the 1971-72 school year, as part of the curriculum of every elementary, junior and senior high school in this state.

No teacher or school administrator employed by a nonpublic school shall be excluded from participating in in-service teacher education institutes or curriculum development programs conducted pursuant to this chapter.

Any child whose parent presents to the school principal a signed statement that the teaching of disease, its symptoms, development and treatment and the use of instructional aids and materials of such subjects conflict with the religious teachings of his church shall be exempt from such instruction, and no child so exempt shall be penalized by reason of such exemption.

The state board shall adopt regulations to insure the teaching of drug abuse education to all pupils. Every county and city school system shall schedule drug abuse education courses as part of the curriculum of every school, K-12.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize or require the teaching of sex education in any form.

In implementing this chapter, every effort shall be made to combine funds appropriated for this purpose with funds available from all other sources, federal, state, local or private, in order to achieve maximum benefits for improving drug abuse education.