PDF Version

1st Session, 43rd Parliament

(2025) FIRST READING

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

STEVE KOONER

BILL M 213 – 2025

DRUG USE PREVENTION EDUCATION

IN SCHOOLS ACT

Contents

Definitions

Purposes

Drug use prevention education curriculum

Mandatory anti‑drug messaging

Reporting

Regulations

Commencement

This Bill provides for drug use prevention education and mandatory anti‑drug messaging in schools.

HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

Definitions

l In this Act:

"authority responsible for the operation of a school" means,

(

a) in the case of a Provincial school, the minister,

(

b) in the case of a public school that is operated by a board of education, the board,

(

c) in the case of a public school that is operated by a francophone education authority, the francophone education authority, and

(

d) in the case of an independent school, the independent school authority responsible for that school;

"board of education" has the same meaning as in the School Act ;

"drug" means a controlled substance as defined in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada);

"francophone education authority" has the same meaning as in the School Act ;

"independent school" has the same meaning as in the Independent School Act ;

"independent school authority" has the same meaning as "authority" in the Independent School Act ;

"Provincial school" has the same meaning as in the School Act ;

"independent school" has the same meaning as in the Independent School Act ;

"public school" has the same meaning as "school" as defined in the School Act ;

"school" means

(

a) a Provincial school,

(

b) a public school as defined in the School Act , and

(

c) an independent school as defined in the Independent School Act .

Purposes

2 The purposes of this Act are to:

(

a) ensure that schools in British Columbia deliver clear and consistent anti‑drug messaging to students;

(

b) mandate a drug use prevention education curriculum in all schools; and

(

c) support and reinforce the role of schools in protecting children from the risks of drug use.

Drug use prevention education curriculum

3 The minister must ensure that, within 6 months of the coming into force of this Act, the curriculum for all schools in respect of drug use

(

a) explicitly discourages drug use,

(

b) focuses on the negative health, social and legal consequences of drug use, and

(

c) promotes stigma against drug use as a deterrent.

Mandatory anti‑drug messaging

4 The authority responsible for the operation of a school must ensure that

(

a) anti‑drug messaging is prominently displayed in classrooms, hallways and student gathering areas of the school, and

(

b) the school holds at least one educational session in each school year for students and parents on the risks and dangers of drug use.

Reporting

5 Every board of education, francophone education authority and independent school authority must report annually to the minister on the drug use prevention education curriculum in the schools under its jurisdiction.

Regulations

6 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations referred to in

section 41 of the

Interpretation Act .

Commencement

7 This Act comes into force on the date of Royal Assent.

Explanatory Note

This Bill provides for drug use prevention education and mandatory anti‑drug messaging in schools.

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