DRUGS EDUCATION POLICY - Includes Medicines, Volatile Substances, Illegal Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

DRUGS EDUCATION
           POLICY
    Includes Medicines, Volatile
Substances, Illegal Drugs, Alcohol and
               Tobacco

Signed ……………………………………….
Date     11th June 2014
Date of Review : MARCH 2017

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Policy Statement

Oakwood Park Grammar School’s Drugs including medicines, illegal drugs,
volatile substances, alcohol and tobacco (‘Drugs Policy’; see Appendix 1 for
definitions of terms) is underpinned by the context, values and school
demographic as outlined in the PSHCEE policy. It has been produced in
consultation with the whole school community and is to be understood in the
context of other policies, programmes and initiatives to which the school is
committed such as the PSHCEE policy, maintaining Healthy Schools status
and its incorporation of the Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda.
This policy applies to staff, pupils, parent and carers, governors and partner
agencies working within the school.
It extends both within the boundaries of the school ground and in any context
involving official school business, such as visits.

The school’s stance towards Drugs Education

In keeping with the school’s aim to develop confident adults whose academic
qualifications and personal qualities enable them to establish themselves in
the world, and its commitment to the health and wellbeing of all members of
the school community, drugs education is an essential contributor to allowing
all students to reach their full potential. It underpins the pastoral role in the
welfare of students, the principles of the ECM agenda to which it is
committed, the health and safety of the school community and the basis for
lifelong health and responsible decision-making. It acknowledges not only
substance, but also social and environmental settings involved and is
therefore committed not only to informing, but also to develop the attitudes,
values and skills for dealing with all associated issues.

The school maintains that the possession, use or supply of illegal or
unauthorised drugs is unacceptable and the first concern is always for the
health and safety of the school community and meeting the pastoral needs of
the students therein.

Aims of Oakwood Park’s Drugs Education

Oakwood Park’s Drug Education Policy is underpinned by the core principles
of government guidance (DFES, 2004).
The aim of drug education is to provide pupils with opportunities to develop
their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and understanding about drugs and
appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, relating this to their own and
others’ actions.

Objectives of Oakwood Park’s Drugs Education

To increase pupils’ knowledge and understanding and clarify misconceptions
about:
• The short-term and long-term effects and risks of drugs.
• The rules and laws relating to drugs.
• The impact of drugs on individuals, families, and communities.
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•   The prevalence and acceptability of drug use among peers.
•   The complex moral, social, emotional, and political issues surrounding
    drugs.
•   To understand the risk associated with ‘Legal Highs’ and other high risk
    substances

To develop pupils’ social and emotional skills so they can make informed
choices and keep themselves safe and healthy including:
   •  Assessing, avoiding and managing risk.
   •  Communicating effectively.
   •  Resisting pressures.
   •  Finding information help and advice.
   •  Devising problem solving and coping strategies.
   •  Developing self-awareness and self esteem.

To enable pupils’ to explore their own and other people’s attitudes towards
drugs, drug use, and drug users, including challenging stereotypes, and
exploring media and social influences.

                    Organisation, planning and delivery

The PSHCEE Co-ordinator is responsible for the planning, organisation and
co-ordination of Drugs Education in school. This in turn will be overseen by
the PSHCEE Line Manager/ Drugs Co-ordinator/ Child Protection Co-
ordinator. The School Drugs Co-ordinator is responsible for referring any
drugs-related incidents to the Headteacher, who will determine the
subsequent course of action.
All staff employed by the school are aware of Drug-related incident procedure,
according to the CFE/ KDAAT 2007 flowchart, which is prominently displayed
in staff areas.

Delivery of Drugs Education will be provided conjointly between the statutory
element in Science and through PSHCEE, by both teachers and visitors from
expert and accredited external agencies.

Biology      Year 7
             Year 8        Fit and Healthy
       Year 9 & KS4        Human behaviour; effects of alcohol, tobacco and
other substances

Chemistry    Year 7
             Year 8        Chemical composition
       Year 9 & KS4        Chemical reactions and change

In PSHCEE, Drugs Education is delivered as part of a timetabled programme
and throughout Key Stages 3-5 on whole-year off-timetable enrichment days.
Delivery is provided by both teachers who have received training where
necessary and members of external agencies- the Drugs Awareness charity,
nurses and police liaison officer for aspects of drugs relating to the law. All

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external visitors are subject to adherence to the school’s guidelines as
outlined in the PSHCEE policy.

All resources used must be approved by the PSHCEE Co-ordinator and must
also be culture and age-appropriate, up-to-date and differentiated.
PSHCEE         Year 7         Awareness of risks associated with alcohol and
tobacco use; development of means to manage peer pressure relating to
them
               Year 8         Builds upon themes introduced in Year 7 and
introduces full range of drugs, including risks, effects and the law; statistical
awareness of drug use in local and national context; peer pressure related to
smoking
               Year 9         Builds upon themes raised last year; specific focus
on law relating to Cannabis and Alcohol & risks/ effects; strategies for dealing
with peer pressure
               Year 10        Continuation of Year 9 themes and in-depth look at
effects of alcohol in relation to crime and teenage pregnancy; examines
government anti-drugs campaigns/ develops peer advice against drug use
               Year 11        Utilises learning from previous years to evaluate
full range of impact/ effects/ risks of drugs and how they affect friends, family
the local and national communities; examines how drug use is viewed by the
media

             Management of Drug-related incidents in school

Remit
School boundaries are defined as any area where a student is in the charge
of the school, including any area within the perimeter fence or school fields
and on a school visit where a student is in the charge of the school or school
staff, whether within or outside of school hours.

Response

•   School response follows the guidance of KCC and the Kent Drug Alcohol
    Action Team (KDAAT).
•   The School Drugs Co-ordinator and/or Headteacher will be required to
    make an assessment if a pupil is suspected of being involved of drug
    misuse or makes a disclosure about their own or their family’s substance
    misuse. With a primary focus upon safeguarding the student, further
    appropriate action may involve referral to the local Young Person’s
    Substance Misuse Services or local Drug Intervention and Support
    Programme.
•   Supportive pastoral intervention at an early stage involving communication
    between staff, parents/ carers and police is important and should be used
    to assess needs and further support, such as provision of information;
    strategies to raise self-esteem; contacting local drug support services;
    liaison with Connexions services
•   Cause for intervention could include: low knowledge about drugs; frequent
    reliance upon use of drugs; if drug use is affecting performance in school;
    if drug use is causing conflict or problems at home; if they feel under

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pressure to use; if their or someone else’s drug use is affecting their
    behaviour and/ or emotional health

Procedure

If a student appears to be intoxicated whilst at school, First Aid provision if
necessary is the first consideration; the Drugs Co-ordinator and/ or
Headteacher is responsible for contacting the student’s parents/ carers, and
the student must then be supervised until they are able to be taken home.

Should a student bring, or if the school has good reason to believe that a
student has brought drink or drugs into school including substances labelled
as ‘Legal Highs’ or Shisha Pens, the following procedure should be followed:

•   All unknown tablets, powders and substances should be regarded as
    unauthorised and with good care (gloves) taken in handling substances
•   The Police Youth Crime Reduction Officer (YCRO) should be contacted in
    any matter relating to confiscation. The Police recognise the impact of
    these issues upon the young person, their families, friends and school
    community
•   Should the YCRO be unable to attend immediately, the police must be
    contacted
•   Substances should not be destroyed
•   If a student has taken, or is reasonably assumed to have taken a drug,
    immediate medical attention should be sought
•   Should staff be involved directly in any such incident, they will inform the
    Headteacher and School Drugs Co-ordinator as soon as the safety of any
    students involved has been established
•   Schools have the power to search without consent for “prohibited items”
    and so if it is believed that a student is in possession of such items will
    conduct a search of the student and his/her possessions as necessary.
    Two members of staff will be present.
•   Should a more extensive search of any area to which students have
    access, including lockers, drawers and other school property, the school
    will balance the likelihood that an offence has been committed against
    infringement of a student’s right to privacy and only conduct such a search
    should they believe that there is a likely harm to the student or to others
•   The YCRO can have the substance analysed and recommend further
    course of action
•   It is legal for a staff member to confiscate substances thought to be illegal.
    Confiscated substances should be kept in a sealed plastic bag, with an
    Incident Form attached (see Appendix 1) and kept locked away until police
    arrive
•   If students are considered to be at risk or in possession of an unauthorised
    substance, parents/ carers should be contacted immediately. Should this
    be considered not to be in the best interests of the student, Child
    Protection procedures should be followed
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•   If it is established that the incident is drug-related, the Headteacher will
    contact the Chair of Governors in order to inform them of the situation
•   Contact will then be made with the Local Education Officer, who will inform
    the LEA press office if there is a possibility that the media may become
    involved

All procedures outlined above are subject to Oakwood Park’s Confidentiality
Policy and the non- assurance of confidentiality.
All incidents should be noted immediately by staff and countersigned by
witnesses.
If the Headteacher or Drugs Co-ordinator are not available, or the incident
occurs off-site, procedure should be followed by the most senior or
designated responsible member of staff

Response, Support and Sanction

• Should it be considered appropriate, the YCRO can use the Drug Use
  Screening Tool and further legal intervention, if necessary or requested by
  the School Drug Co-ordinator may be taken
• Further response may also involve a student’s enrolment in the Drug
  Information and Support Programme (DISP)
• Fixed term or permanent exclusions may be considered in cases of
  extremely serious cases or as part of a pattern of persistent behaviour
• Drug testing & use of Passive Search Dogs may be used in conjunction
  with compliance to KCC guidance and Guidance for Schools on Drug
  Testing
• Previously outlined procedures will be employed should students be found
  to be in possession of drugs as a result of these actions

                          Alcohol and Tobacco (AT)

Oakwood Park Grammar School is a non-smoking site by law, in compliance
with the 2006 Health Act; this includes all buildings, school grounds and fields
and in the interests of health and hygiene, the school requests that people
refrain from smoking outside school gates.
The school also adheres to the Licensing Act of 1964 and other alcohol
legislation
The school will take action to inform parents/ carers of alcohol or tobacco
misuse, in keeping with its recognition of the impact these have upon an
unhealthy lifestyle. Police will only be informed in exceptional circumstances,
such as the sale of AT to young people or where there is risk of violence or
Child Protection issues.

                        Residential and off-site visits

All visits will undergo a full risk assessment in compliance with KCC
guidelines and this will include informing parents of school policy regarding
drug use and repatriation policy. Expectations of staff will also be considered
and agreed.

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Staff

Any staff bringing unauthorised drugs to work, or being at work in an
intoxicated state (including being ‘on duty’ on school trips) could be subject to
disciplinary procedures and possible police prosecution. On the basis of the
duty of care that all teachers have for the students, it is the expectation that all
staff will inform the Headteacher immediately should such an incident occur.

In line with the legislation of July 2007 and in adherence to KCC Smoking
Policy, any staff smoking on school premises, or who bring illegal drugs onto
school premises, will be deemed in breach of their contract.

The school undertakes to make every effort to support staff in such
circumstances and encourage them to seek professional help.

                 Parents/ Carers and drug-related incidents

Oakwood Park has informed the school community of its policy on drugs, drug
education and drug-related incidents and, whilst for reasons of confidentiality
it cannot divulge information about particular students, parents/ carers can
rest assured that every effort and precaution is being taken to ensure the safe
running of the school and students and that they will be informed of any local
concerns or issues.

The school aims to be aware of the impact that drug misuse by parents or
carers can have upon a child and that it can sometimes, but not always, put a
child at greater risk of emotional or physical risk and harm. The school aims to
be alert to any behaviour that may indicate that a student is experiencing any
such difficult home circumstances.

The school will liaise with external agencies as necessary in such cases,
observing the school policy on Confidentiality.

Where parents/ carers are intoxicated upon school premises, staff will always
attempt to maintain a calm atmosphere, but as their paramount concern is for
the welfare and safety of students, may not always be able to discharge a
child into the care of a parent/ carer. Where the behaviour of a parent/ carer in
this respect is persistent, staff may seriously consider whether Child
Protection procedures should be put into place and the police involved if
necessary.

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Appendix 1: Definitions and Terminology

Terms used throughout this policy document are defined thus:
DRUG: This document uses the term to refer to any psychotropic substance
that has potential to affect how a person thinks, feels, or behaves. This
includes all legal drugs such as tobacco and alcohol, all illegal drugs, volatile
substances, and over-the-counter prescription medicines.

ILLEGAL DRUGS:
   • Class A: crack, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, LSD, amphetamines if
     prepared for injection, magic mushrooms.
   • Class B: Cannabis, amphetamines.
   • Class C: GHB, Steroids, Valium, Temazepam, Diazepam.

AUTHORISED DRUGS: Principally medicines and any other drugs
sanctioned for legitimate use (such as alcohol stored securely for a raffle, safe
storage and use of hazardous chemicals). In all other circumstances drugs
are unauthorised whether legal or not.

LEGAL HIGH: Substances sold legally but under an alternative use such as
‘bath salts’ and which are labelled not for Human Consumption. These
products are sold for use as a stimulant an alternative to illegal drugs.

DRUG USE: The consumption of any drug. All drug use, including use of
medicines, has the potential to cause harm.

DRUG MISUSE: Drug taking through which harm may occur, whether through
intoxication, breach of school rules or the law, or the possibility of future
health problems.

DRUG ABUSE: Drug taking which harms health or functioning. It may be part
of a wider spectrum of problematic or harmful behaviour.’

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Appendix 2: KCC Drug-Related Incident Record Form
              Record of Incident Involving Unauthorised Substances
1     For help and advice, telephone the School Drugs Education Adviser.
2     Complete this form WITHOUT identifying the pupil involved.
3     Copy the form (two copies if substance found)
4     Attach copy to bag containing any substances discovered
5     Send the copy within 24 hours of the incident to the relevant School
Drugs Education Adviser.
6     KEEP the original, adding the pupil’s name and form – store
      securely.
(please tick to indicate the category)
 Concern established            Discovery       Discovery               Pupil               Parent/carer              A
 after following up a             OFF          ON premises            disclosure                use                parent/
suspicion or allegation         premises                                                                            carer
                                                                                                                   express
                                                                                                                      es
                                                                                                                   concern
Name of pupil*:                                       Name of school:

Pupil’s form*:                                        Time of incident                                 am/pm
(*For school records only)
Age of pupil:                                         Date of incident:
Male/Female
Ethnicity of pupil:                                   Report form completed by:
(For DAT records**)
Tick box if second or subsequent
incident involving same pupil
First Aid given?                                Yes/No             First Aid given by:
Ambulance/Doctor called?(Delete as necessary)              Yes/No
Called by:
Time:
Drug involved (if known):               Sample found?          (Yes/No)
(e.g. Alcohol, Paracetamol, Ecstasy)    Where retained:
                                        Witness name:
                                        Disposal arranged with:
                                        (Police, Environmental Health)
                                        At time:
Senior staff involved:

Name of parent/carer informed:
Informed by:
At time:
Brief description of symptoms/situation:

Other action taken: (e.g. Connexions or other agency involved: Educational Psychologist report
requested: case conference called: pupils/staff informed: sanction imposed: LEA/GP/Police
consulted)

(continue on blank sheet if necessary)
** Categories: British, Irish, other white, white and black Caribbean, white and black African, white and Asian,
other mixed, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, other Asian, Caribbean, African, other black, Chinese, any other,
not stated.

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