In an effort to reform disciplinary measures and combat substance abuse among students, Norman Public Schools in Oklahoma have seen a notable decrease in suspension rates. The shift came after the district received a $150,000 opioid abatement grant from the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board. This initiative aimed to pivot from punishment to proactive methods of prevention, education, and recovery, according to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office.
Before the intervention, the district's substance abuse suspension rates stood at a staggering 212 for the 2022-2023 school year, Director of Counseling Kitrena Hime recognized that traditional punitive measures were not enough, and sought change. "Our students are more than the mistakes they make, and it is our job to give them the tools and support they need to make better choices and succeed in school and in life," Norman Schools Superintendent Nick Migliorino said, as reported by the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office press release.
As part of Hime’s plan, the district created a three-step system to handle drug and alcohol issues. It starts with education and accountability, then uses school and community mental health support, and, if needed, offers treatment programs. A staff member also helps students keep up with school and attend regularly, as per the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office.
The proactive approach yielded significant results. Suspensions related to drugs and alcohol dropped by 40 percent during the 2024-2025 school year, with a sharper fall of 58 percent at the middle school level and a 30 percent reduction in high schools. "We were less punitive and more supportive," Hime stated, as cited by the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office same press release. To further aid students, the school district cut down suspension times from ten days to five, helping to keep students engaged with their schoolwork.
The Oklahoma Legislature enacted the Political Subdivisions Opioid Abatement Grants Act in 2020 to oversee and distribute settlement funds from opioid-related cases. The grants, which are subject to rigorous review, aim to support a wide range of interventions, including treatment and recovery programs, education, and prevention efforts that combat opioid abuse within communities across the state, as per the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office.
