Substance abuse suspension rates in Norman Public Schools (NPS) totaled less than 100 per year prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. By 2022, that number had grown to 165 before spiking to 212 for the school year ending in 2023.
Director of Counseling Kitrena Hime knew she needed to shift the culture. That’s why she decided to apply for a grant from the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board, which awarded the district last year with $150,000 to help prevent substance abuse and eliminate opioid misuse.
Norman Schools Superintendent Nick Migliorino said the grant allowed the district to be innovative.
“This grant allowed us to take a different approach, one that focuses on prevention, education and recovery instead of simply punishment,” he said. “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. We are deeply grateful to Kitrena and the dedicated team of staff who work with our students every day to provide guidance, encouragement and hope. These results show that when we work alongside families and community partners, we can make a real and lasting difference.”
Hime said cutting suspensions was a major goal for the district because students suspended for substances are often repeat offenders. More than 50 percent fell behind on the credits they needed to graduate; 95 percent of students suspended for substances were chronically absent.
She created a new approach to drug and alcohol infractions within Norman Schools through a multi-tiered support system, starting with education and accountability, advancing to community and school mental health resources and culminating with residential treatment or other recovery programs. To address accountability, the district provided a dedicated staff member to follow through with students, coach them on their grades, check their attendance and help them progress.
“We have to meet students where they are and be a safety net and resource for families,” Hime said.
NPS also rolled out substance abuse prevention lessons and activities across all schools in the district.
The results showed resounding success. Drug and alcohol infractions fell 40 percent to 109 during the 2024-2025 school year. At the middle school level, they fell 58 percent to 27 and at the high school level, they fell 30 percent to 82.
Additionally, Norman cut its suspension time for drug and alcohol infractions from 10 days to five to help keep students on track with their classes.
“We were less punitive and more supportive,” Hime said.
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More about Opioid Abatement Grants
In 2020, the Oklahoma Legislature enacted the Political Subdivisions Opioid Abatement Grants Act, creating the Opioid Abatement Board to oversee the distribution of opioid settlement funds. The purpose of the law is to promote and protect the health of Oklahomans by using monetary grants to fight the opioid crisis in a comprehensive manner that includes cooperation and collaboration with political subdivisions.
Grants can fund treatment and recovery programs, assistance with co-occurring disorders and mental health issues, opioid abuse education and prevention, proper prescription efforts, and strategies to decrease the supply of narcotics across the state. Grants are rigorously reviewed and approved by the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board comprised of the Attorney General and appointees of the Governor, Speaker of the House, Senate President Pro Tempore, State Treasurer, State Superintendent for Public Instruction, and State Auditor and Inspector.
For more information, go to the OAG’s website.
Tags: Grants Harm Reduction Overdose Programs Settlement
