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HomeEducation CodeCh. 2Art. 1§ 51203 School Drug And Alcohol Education

§ 51203 School Drug And Alcohol Education

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 51203 School Drug And Alcohol Education

Key Takeaways

  • •Schools must teach kids about alcohol, drugs, and other dangerous stuff and how they hurt the body.
  • •High schools must also teach how these things can hurt babies before they are born.
  • •Lessons must include how too much alcohol can cause health problems, like sickness, long-term diseases, and even death.
  • •Schools decide which grades and classes will teach these lessons, but they have to teach them.

Example

A high school health class teaches students about the dangers of drinking too much alcohol.

The teacher explains that drinking too much alcohol can make you very sick right away, like throwing up or passing out. Over time, it can also cause serious problems like liver disease or make you feel very sad or worried all the time. The teacher also talks about how drinking alcohol while pregnant can hurt the baby.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 51203 School Drug And Alcohol Education

(a) Instruction upon the nature of alcohol, narcotics, restricted dangerous drugs as defined in Section 11032 of the Health and Safety Code, and other dangerous substances and their effects upon the human system as determined by science shall be included in the curriculum of all elementary and secondary schools. (b) Instruction on the effects of alcohol, narcotics, restricted dangerous drugs as defined in Section 11032 of the Health and Safety Code, and other dangerous substances upon prenatal development as determined by science shall be included in the curriculum of all secondary schools. (c) Instruction on the nature and effects of alcohol pursuant to this section shall include information about excessive alcohol use and the short-term and long-term health risks of excessive alcohol use. This instruction shall include information about excessive drinking, the immediate effects of alcohol that increase the risks of harmful health conditions, and how excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems, including alcohol-related deaths and mental health problems. The instruction about mental health problems may include instruction about depression and anxiety. (d) The governing board of the school district shall adopt regulations specifying the grade or grades and the course or courses in which the instruction with respect to alcohol, narcotics, restricted dangerous drugs as defined in Section 11032 of the Health and Safety Code, and other dangerous substances shall be included. (e) All persons responsible for the preparation or enforcement of courses of study shall provide for instruction on the subjects of alcohol, narcotics, restricted dangerous drugs as defined in Section 11032 of the Health and Safety Code, and other dangerous substances. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 314, Sec. 1. (AB 2865) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

instructionenforcementsafety codeschoolcurriculumdangerhealthstudent

Related Statutes

  • § 51225.38 Fentanyl Education Requirement
  • § 51260 Drug And Alcohol Education
  • § 48207.5 Home Instruction Timeline
  • § 48208 Hospitalized Student Instruction Notification
  • § 48213 Exclusion Notice Exception

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 51203.
View Official Source