DRUGS EDUCATION POLICY
RATIONALE:
Why do we need a drugs policy?
a)
From September 1996 it is a statutory requirement for every grant-aided
school to have a drugs education policy and to publish details of it in their
prospectus.
b)
Every school must teach drugs education as part of the Health Education
cross-curricular theme.
c)
The school must inform the police where they believe or suspect a pupil
to be in possession of a controlled drug.
As
well as fulfilling our legal requirements, and in keeping with our school policy
of maximising the potential of each pupil, and recognising our responsibility to
care for each pupils physical and emotional well-being, we must express our
concern about the misuse of drugs in present day society.
We
therefore feel it is our duty to -
i)
explain what a drug is; a substance which, when taken, has the effect of
altering the way a person behaves, feels, sees or thinks.
ii)
to emphasise that while all medicines are drugs not all drugs are
medicines and that the improper use of drugs can have serious consequences.
iii)
to begin to equip our pupils with the necessary life-skills and
information to prevent and protect them from the dangers attached to the misuse
of drugs.
The
drugs education programme will be delivered mainly through health education and
the science curriculum. It will be
appropriate to the needs and the experience of the children in our school.
In
drawing up this drugs education policy we believe that in addressing the drugs
issue we are being a responsible school.
We
wish to deal with drugs education in a manner which does not condone drug use.
ABOVE
ALL OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE WELFARE CARE AND PROTECTION OF OUR PUPILS.
THIS
SCHOOL CONDEMNS DRUG MISUSE.
AIMS
·
To promote
abstinence
·
To delay
the onset of experimentation
·
To dissuade
from use of drugs
·
To begin to
enable and equip children to make informed responsible decisions about drug use.
OBJECTIVES
·
To equip
pupils with the social competencies necessary for coping with peer pressure to
begin using drugs.
·
To enhance
pupils self-awareness and self-esteem.
·
To increase
pupils knowledge of the harmful consequences of drug misuse.
THE
ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DRUGS EDUCATION PROGRAMME
The
Vice Principal as Pastoral Care teacher will be responsible for the organisation
and management of the drugs education programme. The programme will be drawn up
as a result of consultation with the different class teachers.
All members of staff will endeavour to apply the programme consistently.
Drugs
education will be taught in a cross-curricular manner within the overall
provision of Health Education and Northern Ireland curriculum subjects,
particularly in the areas of pastoral care, Science, Religious Education and
English.
One
of the main objectives of the Health Education cross-curricular theme is that
pupils should develop their knowledge and understanding of the use, misuse,
risks and effects of drugs and other potentially harmful substances and that
they should develop a critical awareness of the relevant personal, social and
economic implications. This must be
an important part of our drugs education programme.
We
will adopt a “life-skills” approach - giving our children appropriate
information at the level they require, equipping them with the necessary skills
and strategies to make informed decisions about drug use and to help them
withstand peer pressure.
We
will cover the following areas of drug abuse - alcohol, tobacco, solvent and
controlled drugs.
Outside
agencies such as the Police and the Health Promotion Agency may be called upon
to support the staff in the delivery of the drugs education programme.
CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
Children
with learning difficulties may need more help than others in understanding what
sorts of behaviour are and are not acceptable and desirable and in developing
the confidence and skills to resist drugs; they be more at risk than others.
We will endeavour to take into account their individual needs and
abilities as we interpret the drugs education programme.
SUPPORTS AND STRUCTURES
Roles
and responsibilities of all staff
Mr.
McBurney (VP) is the designated member of staff with responsibility for drug
issues. He will also co-ordinate
with the principal in the implementation of the drugs education programme
throughout the school in compliance with the statutory requirements.
He also has responsibility for co-ordination of the school’s procedures
for handling instances of suspected drug misuse and acting as a contact point,
as necessary, for outside agencies who may have to work with the school or with
the pupil or pupils concerned.
All
members of staff will work together as a team in order to deliver the drugs
education programme as effectively as possible.
SUPPORT
MECHANISMS
If
a teacher suspects that a pupil may have a problem with drug misuse this
information should be brought to the attention of the principal and the
designated teacher. The situation
will be investigated and if necessary arrangements will be made to counsel the
child/children in school. The
parents will be informed.
It
is our duty to act on the fundamental principle that we are “in loco parentis”
- our primary concern must be the well-being and safety of all the pupils in our
charge.
The
principal will apply the Child Protection Policy and this will lead to the
education welfare service and local health and social services being called upon
to support the school.
Such
incidents should be handled with the utmost discretion - with only those people
who “have the right to know” being given access to the information.
However, where a pupil discloses to a teacher or other member of staff
that he or she is taking drugs, the staff member should make it clear to the
pupil that he or she can offer no guarantee of confidentiality given the
seriousness of drug misuse. They will apply the procedures in the child
protection policy.
SAFETY
IN THE SCHOOL
1)
All substances which constitute a hazard to the safety of the children,
including materials used to clean the school such as bleach and polish, must be
securely stored at all times. Out of
reach does not necessarily mean out of harm
2)
The use in class by pupils of volatile substances, such as glue, must be
carefully monitored by all members of staff.
Children are not allowed to have gas lighter fuel, cigarette lighters or
correcting fluid (Tippex or similar products) in their possession.
The use of aerosol sprays should be discouraged.
3)
The school will follow the guidelines issued by the South Eastern
Education and Library Board on the administration of medication in schools with
which all members of staff should become familiar.
FIRST
AID PROCEDURES
Minor
first aid procedures, such as dealing with cuts and bruises, will be dealt with
in school. In the event of a more
serious injury, but where it has not been deemed necessary to contact a doctor,
the parents of the pupil concerned will be informed.
When necessary the school will contact Belvoir Health Centre for medical
help and advice. A record will be
kept of all first aid procedures.
EMERGENCY
FIRST AID
If
a serious medical emergency occurs it is important to keep calm.
The
principal and Vice Principal should be informed immediately and appropriate
steps taken. Expert medical help is
always available from Belvoir Health Centre or the local hospital.
In
suspected cases of drug misuse where a pupil is drowsy or unconscious it is
important to know what to do. It is
necessary to -
a)
make sure they have a clear air passage and fresh air
b)
turn them on their side and try not to leave them alone (this is
important because if they are sick they may inhale their own vomit)
c)
dial 999 and ask for an ambulance
d)
if any powders, tablets or anything else is found that may suggest drug
taking, give them to the ambulance personnel.
e)
it is essential to remain calm and not to panic the patient.
Follow
up action when responding to illness as a result of suspected drug misuse:
Mr.
McBurney (VP) will investigate and write a report on the incident which should
be brief and factual and include such details as dates, times, location and
witnesses.
·
In the
light of the report, the principal will take further action in line with the
school’s welfare programme guided by the child protection policy and
discipline policy.
·
As part of
this process the school may make referral to outside agencies who can support
the pupil and his or her family.
·
The
Chairman of the Board of Governors will be informed.
·
The
Principal will contact the appropriate authorities.
PROCEDURES
FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DRUGS RELATED INCIDENTS ON SCHOOL PREMISES
For
all those involved in dealing with incidents of drug misuse, the experience is
likely to be traumatic. This will be
true not only for the principal, the teachers, other members of staff and
Governors of the school but also for the pupil(s) involved in the incident,
their parents and other pupils in the school.
Dealing with suspected incidents of drug misuse will require extreme
sensitivity on the part of all those involved. Fundamental to dealing with such
incidents is the principle of “in loco parentis” - the school must take
steps to safeguard the well-being and safety of the pupils in its charge.
1)
Sanctions and disciplinary procedures
The
principal retains the responsibility for deciding how to respond to particular
incidents, taking account of factors such as the age of the pupil concerned,
whether the incident involved one pupil or a group of pupils, and whether there
has been evidence of particular peer pressure.
The fact that certain behaviour could constitute a violation of criminal
law should not, in itself, be taken as automatically leading to the exclusion of
the pupil.
In
cases where it is clear that a pupil is selling illegal drugs and the health and
safety of other pupils is at risk, the principal may decide that a pupil should
be suspended or excluded from the school.
The
school’s policy includes a clear statement of the school’s attitude to
illegal drugs and of the disciplinary measures which will be applied in drug
related incidents.
2)
Confidentiality
Careful
consideration must be given to the response of members of staff approached by a
pupil for individual advice on drug misuse.
If a pupil discloses to a teacher or other member of staff that he or she
is taking drugs, the member of staff must make it clear that no guarantee of
confidentiality can be offered.
3)
Counselling
Where
a pupil has been identified by the school as having experimented with illegal
drugs, or as being at risk of doing so, he or she will be offered appropriate
counselling and support within the school’s general arrangements for the
pastoral care of its pupils, and the parents will be informed.
The
school is aware of the specialised agencies, support and counselling services
available in the area which may be in a position to support a pupil at risk.
In addition, the education welfare service, local health and social
services, and the local police all have a roll to play in supporting the
school’s efforts.
4)
Handling the media
If
the school receives an enquiry from the media, the caller should be referred
only to the principal and then onto the chairperson.
No comment should be made by another other person.
When
responding to the media, it is recommended that:
·
the privacy of any pupil and his/her family should be respected
·
a checklist of appropriate key facts is prepared by the principal
·
statements are short, factual and without elaboration
·
positive statements are made
·
concluding statements are reassuring, and restate that the incident has
been managed effectively
If
asked for further statements the school should restrict itself to its original
statement.
5)
The Law and the Local Police
All
staff should be aware of their responsibilities under the law.
They should be aware of the legal implications of discovering a pupil in
possession of a controlled drug and how they are expected to deal with such an
event.
The
school has established a close relationship with the local police.
The
local Juvenile Liaison Officer will be informed in every case where a pupil is
found to have, or is suspected of having, controlled drugs in his or her
possession, either on his or her person or in his or her belongings, or where
drugs are found on the school premises.
TRAINING AND INFORMATION
1)
Staff Development - teachers, governors, support
Drugs
education is a whole school issue. The
whole school community including teaching and other staff, governors, parents
and relevant outside agencies should be involved.
We act “in loco parentis” and everyone concerned must realise that
our primary concern must be the well-being and safety of all the pupils in our
charge.
Every
effort will be made to ensure that the staff are well informed about the misuse
of drugs, the necessity of having a drugs education programme and of being
familiar with the school’s procedures when a pupil is suspected either of
being in possession of drugs or being under the influence of alcohol.
The
Board of Governors will be involved in the development of the school’s drug
education policy and procedures.
2)
Parental involvement
Many
parents are concerned about drugs in our community.
They may be anxious to know that the school is addressing the issue, the
manner in which it is done and the information supplied.
The school will ensure that parents are aware of our drugs education
policy and encourage them to find out how we are tackling these issues.
We must do our best to stress that all teaching will be done in the wider
context of health education and carefully matched to the age and maturity of the
pupils concerned.
MONITORING,
REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF POLICY
The
drugs education policy will be regularly reviewed and evaluated.
The policy and programmes of study will also be revised to take account
of changing trends and circumstances.