Drugs Policy

POLICY STATEMENT ON

ON DRUGS

We recognise that our pupils are growing up in a society in which many kinds of drugs are and will continue to be available, some of which may be illegal, and all of which are potentially harmful. Consequently, we will accept some responsibility for helping pupils to develop the personal and inter-personal skills necessary for coping with life in such a society.

If a child is found in possession of, or under the influence of any drug/medicine, the staff will follow the procedures laid down in this policy.

In carrying out these procedures, we will be mindful of the safety and welfare of individual pupils involved, the safety and welfare of the school community, our legal responsibilities and the concerns and expectations of parents.

THE CURRICULUM.

Drug Education will be delivered through the Science curriculum, as well as through personal, social and health education.

The drugs education of pupils will take into account:

a) the requirement of the National Curriculum Key Stages 1 & 2.

b) guidance contained in the National Curriculum Council document "Curriculum Guidance 5: Health Education".

c) the delivery of personal and social education.

d) the need for pupils to have accurate information appropriate to their age, stage of development and actual behaviour patterns.

This information will include:

· the effects of the law.

· information about drugs and medicines, their effects, their legitimate uses.

· understanding of the level of social acceptability or otherwise of these drugs and medicines.

· understanding of where potential dangers lie.

· understanding pupil's own role in minimising or removing dangers, and how to achieve this.

e) the need for pupils to develop personal and interpersonal skills, such as decision - making, problem-solving, resisting peer group pressure, assertiveness and negotiation.

f) the need for pupils to develop and maintain a level of self-esteem which will motivate them to take care of themselves.

g) the training and support needs of the staff.

h) Inset needs to encourage a consistent, balanced attitude across the entire staff.

PROCEDURES

1. If there is any evidence or suspicion that there is unauthorised pupil involvement with legal or illegal drugs and medicines, the following will apply:-

a) If medical aid is needed, it will be provided or sought at once - school nurse, or trained First Aider.

b) The drugs co-ordinator will be informed immediately.

c) The drugs co-ordinator will consider whether dialogue with the pupil is appropriate. If appropriate an approach will be made to determine the facts.

Any substance suspected of being a drug, medicine or alcohol will be confiscated and put in a safe place.

d) A careful, detailed record will be made by the drugs co-ordinator in conjunction with the class teacher. This will include:

i) child's name/date/time of day

ii) reasons for suspicion

iii) action taken

iv) notes on dialogue with pupil

v) teachers and drugs co-ordinator views on the incident

vi) any other relevant information

e) note of where substance has been securely placed (if any)

f) Present information to headteacher (copy of record to be kept by drugs co-ordinator).

g) The headteacher will decide whether the substance should be sent for laboratory analysis or whether the police should be notified.

2. Parents/Guardians of the pupil(s) will be informed. The headteacher will decide whether contact should be by telephone or letter, on the day of the offence or at a later date.

3. If necessary, an urgent meeting should take place the same day as the incident, involving the staff member, the drugs co-ordinator and the headteacher in order to decide whether others outside the school should be informed. These may include Educational Social Worker/ Education Welfare Officer, Social Services, Health Education Adviser and the police. The L.E.A. will be informed by the headteacher and respond to any requests for information from the media.

4. If an offence against the Misuse of Drugs Act is suspected or substantiated, it will be appropriate to consider contacting the police. If so, the head teacher or deputy should make the call to the Schools Liaison Officer.

5. We accept that pupils involved in any incident and perhaps their parents will need counselling and support. As far as it is able, the school will provide this and will refer pupils and their families to outside agencies as necessary.

SMOKING

The whole site is designated as a "no smoking" area.

Smoking is forbidden and if pupils are caught smoking on the site the headteacher must be notified immediately. The headteacher will take appropriate action.

MEDICINES

Each teacher will keep a list of pupils in their class who may require medicine during school hours.

Parents must notify the class teacher in writing if any medicines need to be taken in school hours. Teachers must not administer any medicines. It is the parents responsibility to ensure the safe administration of medicines during school hours. Medicines should not be kept in school except for asthma inhalers which will be kept by the child concerned or, in the case of infant children, by the class teacher.

AMENDMENT SHEET FOR ALL POLICY STATEMENTS

POLICY ON DRUGS

POLICY NUMBER 37

DATE POLICY RATIFIED: SUMMER 1996

DATE POLICY LAST REWRITTEN: SUMMER 1996

Review Date	Page	Line	Amendment
Summer 1996			Written