SUBSTANCE MIS-USE POLICY

March 2004

Section One – Introduction

Section Two – Education

Section Three – Managing a Substance Mis-use Incident

Section Four – Training

Section Five – Monitoring and Evaluation

Appendices

1 – Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use

2 – Emergency Procedures

3 – Glossary of Terms

4 – Alcohol

5 – Tobacco

6 – Solvents

7 – Cannabis

8 – Magic Mushrooms

9 – Ecstasy

10 – LSD

11 – Heroin and Other Opiates

12 – Illegal Use of Prescribed Drugs

13 – Drugs and the Law

14 – Report Form for Recording Incidents Involving Alcohol, Tobacco, Volatile Substances and Illegal Drugs

15 – Medical Checklist at Enrolment to School

16 – Emergency Procedures in the School Situation

17 – Directory of Services

SECTION ONE

INTRODUCTION

Policy Context

The National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 sets out a detailed programme of action to be implemented by Government Departments and Agencies to combat the very serious problem of drug mis-use in our society.

The Drug Strategy highlights the important contribution that schools can make in the area of education and prevention, and requires them to have Substance Use Policies in place.

The central objective of a School's Substance Use Policy is the welfare, care and protection of every young person in line with the Education Act 1998 and the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 representing an integrated community based response. A School Substance Use Policy addresses both education concerning alcohol, tobacco and drugs and the procedures for managing incidents relating to these substances. It is recognised that a School Substance Use Policy be developed through existing consultative structures within a School and build on existing School Policies and Plans.

Why a Policy on Substance Use?

q The world in which we live presents young people with many challenges that affect their health and well-being. Exposure to alcohol, tobacco and drugs is part of this reality. Schools need to reflect upon how they might provide for the needs of their student cohort and respond appropriately to what are sometimes sensitive and emotive issues.

q The Education Act (1998) provides that Schools should promote the social and personal development of students and provide Health Education for them.

q The National Drugs Strategy, 'Building on Experience' is now Government Policy and it requires Schools to have a Substance Use Policy in place.

q The recent report from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs entitled 'Drugs Use Prevention' (November 2001) underlines the importance of Schools developing Substance Use Policies.

q The 1999 the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) Report highlighted the seriousness of the problem among sixteen-year olds in Ireland, as compared to the other twenty-nine ESPAD Countries surveyed.

St. Ailbe’s School Position and Ethos

St. Ailbe’s School is committed to addressing the needs of all students who participate in the process of learning via Schools, Education Centres and Community Facilities in relation to substance mis-use. St. Ailbe’s School position is to provide a health promoting ethos and environment where the use of, possession and dealing in drugs are strictly forbidden. This position is in keeping with the Mis-use of Drugs Act 1977 - 1984. It is recognised that we live in a drug using society and students, irrespective of social background or educational attainment, are at risk. Both legal and illegal drugs are available in our community and accordingly, drug incidents may occur which require a measured, consistent, fair and sensitive approach.

The Ultimate Aim of this Ethos:

This Policy is to create a drug free educational environment for all students and bring about decisive action to reduce the incidence and negative effects of drug mis-use among students.

Included in St. Ailbe’s School are the following aims:

§ To create a community which promotes good relationships, mutual respect and which encourages personal development.

§ To develop the School's role within the wider community and to prepare our young people for a constructive role in society.

This Policy contributes to the furtherance of these aims and includes the following, more specific aims and objectives:

§ To enable pupils to make healthy and informed choices.

§ To provide a clear framework for all staff for dealing with incidents of substance mis-use in Schools.

§ To ensure the health and welfare of the students are maintained by providing Programmes and Policies appropriate to the needs of the students.

What is a Drug?

Any substance including alcohol, tobacco, volatile substances, over the counter drugs, medication and all substances covered under the Mis-use of Drugs Act 1977 - 1984 that changes the way a person feels, acts and thinks.

Definition of Drug Paraphernalia

Any items that may be deemed to be used for taking of any illicit substances including hash pipes, bongs, lungs and any other written or printed materials promoting the use of any illicit substances or any banned or prohibited substances. Aerosols should not be approved for use by students during School activities. Students should be advised to use roll-ons as an alternative. Aerosols relating to Art and other such classes should always be locked safely away when not in class use and under the supervision of a teacher. Tipp-ex Thinner and Tipp-ex Liquid should not be approved during classes. Students should be advised to use Tipp-ex Pocket Mouse as an alternative.

Definition of our School

Anywhere within the boundaries of the School grounds.

q All open areas within the School boundary or wall.

q The football field(s)/games field.

q The public property i.e. roadways and footpaths in the immediate vicinity of the School where School students and staff congregate on the way to or from School at the start and end of the days activities.

q All organised and supervised extra curricular activities.

q Wherever the School population is organised to be eg. School trips, School related activities taking place on or off School grounds.

Schools are generally entitled to intervene in student activity when the activity is taking place either on School property or on some occasions where a ‘nexus’ exists between the occasion and the School itself.

Definition of a Parent

The definition of a parent under this Policy is the person who is the natural biological parent of the student, the adoptive or foster parent of the student, the guardian or person in charge of the student.

When can Drugs be used in St. Ailbe’s School

St. Ailbe’s School does not, under any circumstances accept or condone the possession, use, supply or dealing of drugs in the School, on School trips or in non-School time by any member of the School Community.

The only exception to this is for legitimate medicinal use and the following applies:

q If a student is on a prescribed medication, use is allowed in accordance with medical instructions.

q When a student is suffering from a minor illness the Principal/Deputy Principal, following a confirmation over the telephone with a parent, may give an analgesic e.g. Panadol, to alleviate symptoms.

q Full medical history of students must be provided by parents at Enrolment with a list of prescribed medications which the student has to take. Any illness arising subsequent to Enrolment and requiring prescribed medication must also be notified to School Authorities.

q All allergies, in particular allergic reactions to medication, must be notified to School Authorities.

Footnote: Prescribed medication to be administered to a student under the supervision of the Principal/Deputy Principal or designated staff member. Written permission from his/her parent/guardian is required by the School Authorities. Students encouraged to only bring into School the required medication for that day. General analgesic e.g. panadol to be locked safely in Principal's Office with prescribed medication; to be opened only by Principal/Deputy Principal or designated staff member. Maximum amount i.e. one packet of e.g. panadol to be stored at any one time.

SECTION TWO

EDUCATION

Programme for Alcohol, Tobacco, Volatile Substance and Drug Education

Within the limited resources available to it, the VEC expects each School to provide alcohol, tobacco and drugs Education Programmes for its students as part of the Social and Personal Health Education Programme currently operational in Schools. Parents acknowledge that these Programmes are essential for the health and wellbeing of their children and that they as parents are in partnership with the School:-

a. To provide honest and age-appropriate information on drugs, alcohol and volatile substances.

b. To adequately inform pupils of the risks arising for them and for others from the abuse of alcohol, drugs or any other volatile substances.

c. To prepare students for present and future experiences and to enable them to make informed decisions which will eliminate the harm to themselves, their families and their communities that can arise from drug use/mis-use or the abuse of alcohol or any volatile substance.

d. To enable students to make informed, healthy and responsible choices.

e. To equip students with the necessary personal and social skills to deal with the situations they will be presented or confronted with in relation to the abuse of those various substances.

f. To increase the self-esteem and confidence of the students.

g. To adequately inform the students of this Policy and the consequences for any student(s) on offending the School Policy in this area.

h. To minimise the harm caused by the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs by offering supportive interventions where abuse occurs.

And St. Ailbe’s School agrees that:

(a) Parents will, at all times, have access to information on what is happening in the School with regard to these Education Programmes.

(b) It will encourage and welcome ongoing consultation with parent(s) as appropriate, mainly through the Parents' Council, in relation to the best use of whatever resources are available in the community to support the School in these Programmes and this Policy.

The Drug Education Programme will be carried out using methodologies such as:

Quizzes, Questionnaires, Surveys, Class Discussions, Case Studies, Videos, Brainstorming - why start?, Working in pairs - Report Back, Designing Posters, Work Sheets and Guest Speakers.

Outside or Guest Speakers give students another, and often, very convincing perspective which reinforces or supplements work done in the classroom. Such speakers include:

1. Medical Viewpoint - Health Board Personnel etc.

2. Legal viewpoint - Gardaí, Juvenile Liaison Officer.

3. Peer Group i.e. Alateen.

4. Alcoholics Anonymous, former addicts, alcoholics recommended by experts working in the area of Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation.

5. Addiction Counsellors.

SECTION THREE

MANAGING A SUBSTANCE MIS-USE INCIDENT

Managing a Substance Mis-use Incident

The School Approach

It is acknowledged that in all situations involving drugs, a balance between the needs of the young person concerned, the needs of the School Community and the reputation of the School will be taken into account.

The initial approach to the situation will be to listen, to separate fact from myth and to offer support. Each case will be dealt with on its own merits. Disciplinary procedures will be called in if the School's Code of Behaviour has been breached. Expulsion is seen by the School as a last resort. This is mandatory where the offence of dealing is established.

Involvement by the Gardaí is at the discretion of the School Principal

The student and the student’s well being is of prime importance. Disclosure of a student's involvement in drugs will be strictly on a 'need to know basis'. It is important in all suspected or confirmed drug incidents that a limited number of people are involved in managing the incident.

Procedural Objectives:

q To set out clear procedures to be followed by staff who suspect that substance mis-use is taking place or that controlled substances are being brought onto School premises.

q To provide an agreed framework for Liaison Agencies including the Gardaí and press.

q To set out the support and counselling which will be part of the response to drug related incidents.

q To ensure that all members of the School Community understand the very serious view which the School takes of all instances of possession, use or supply of drugs.

q To ensure that all staff are aware of the agreed procedures.

q To ensure that all staff involved in Specific Drugs Education have an adequate level of training.

q This Policy has the theme that individuals who have a high level of self-esteem and who possess the necessary knowledge and skills to make thoughtful decisions about their behaviour will be best equipped to take a place in the adult world.

Substance Mis-use Incidents

The following are some examples of drug incidents:

q Student in School in an intoxicated state/displaying unusual behaviour.

q Student is uncharacteristically unkempt/deterioration in physical condition and appearance.

q Student indulging in uncontrolled giggling or silliness.

q Emergencies, when a student may be unconscious or semi-conscious.

q Drugs or drug paraphernalia found on a student, on School premises or on a School related activity.

q Disclosure by another person.

q School grounds being used for drug activity.

q Person seeking help from member of staff.

March 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Appendices

SECTION ONE

SECTION THREE

MANAGING A SUBSTANCE MIS-USE INCIDENT