The National Drugs Strategy 2001 – 2008 sets out a detailed programme of action to be implemented to combat the very serious problem of drug misuse in our society. The 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 our 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. The policy will address both education concerning alcohol, tobacco and drugs and the procedures for managing incidents relating to these substances.

St. Paul’s substance use policy sets out, in writing, the framework within which the whole school community manages issues relating to substance use. It reflects the unique ethos of the school and aims to develop a shared understanding of the term ‘drugs’.

A partnership approach based on the ‘whole school’ model is used for the development of the policy. The policy applies to the entire school community, including teachers, students, parents/guardians, Board of Management, all other school staff and users of the school environment.

St. Paul’s is committed to addressing the needs of the whole school in relation to drugs. We believe that Teachers, Parents/Guardians, Board of Management, students and other relevant personnel need to work together and that co-operation is essential to the acceptance and implementation of the policy.

It has been agreed that a Drug is ‘any substance which changes the way the body functions, mentally, physically or emotionally’.

St. Pauls recognises that Drugs – both legal and illegal are available in the local community and that the school being part of this community may have drug incidents, which need to be handled in a consistent and sensitive way. St. Pauls also acknowledges that it has an important role to play in drugs education both in terms of prevention and offering support to those who use drugs.

St. Pauls believes that the Personal and Social Development of each member of the school community is important. Education flourishes in an environment where good relationships are encouraged, where people feel valued and respected and where there is genuine tolerance, fairness and support for those in difficulty. This philosophy underpins and informs all the work we do and is central to this policy document.

St. Pauls does not tolerate or condone the possession, use or supply of drugs in the school, or while participating in school related activities, educational trips, outings etc. or in non-school time by any member of the school community. The only exception is for legitimate medicinal use and in which case the school has to be informed.

This policy is focused on four key areas:-

1. Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Education Programmes

2. Managing Drug Related Incidents

3. Training and Staff Development

4. Monitoring, Review and Evaluation.

 

 

St. Pauls is committed to providing a comprehensive and timetabled drug education programme for all students, which will be incorporated into the Social, Personal and Health Education Programme currently running in the school.

Our educational aims in relation to Drug Education are:

These aims will be met through the following actions:

We believe that trained teachers particularly in S.P.H.E. are in the best position to carry out drug education but sometimes it may be appropriate to use an outside speaker to supplement or reinforce the work done in the class.

Parents/Guardians will be made aware and informed of what is happening in the school with regard to drug education. This will happen on a yearly basis.

We acknowledge that in all situations involving drugs, these needs to be a balance between the needs of the young person, the needs of the school community and the reputation of the school. Listening, separating fact from myth and support will be our initial approach to the situation. Disciplinary procedures will be followed if school rules are broken and expulsion will be an option when all else has failed.

The following are examples of a drug incident:

In all cases where there is no immediate danger to the students, it will be important to take time to assess the situation before responding

All staff need to be aware of the signs of drug use and alert for changes in behaviour. Adolescence is a period of great change and rumour must not be taken as evidence of drug use.

In situations of confirmed use/possession or supply then all the details will be recorded and acted upon. A written recording procedure will be used. This procedure will ensure that fair process of challenging the student about behaviour of concern is in place.

It is important in all suspected or confirmed drug incidents that a limited number of people are involved in managing the incident. People will be informed on a ‘need to know’ basis.

The Principal, Drug Co-ordinator, Guidance Counsellor and person/s directly involved in the case will be informed and all written documentation will be held confidentially by the school.

In most cases the school will want to involve the parents/carers. This needs to be handled sensitively and wherever possible support offered to them. In the first instance, this support will be offered by the Guidance Counsellor.

It is agreed that the Principal or a designated person will contact the Garda/Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO) in the event of a confirmed drug incident and any drugs found on the premises will be dealt with by the JLO.

The pastoral care system is our first response to a drug incident. For some young people their involvement with drugs may be masking some underlying difficulties and for others it may be a phase of experimentation, which they will pass through safely.

Drug incidents are complex and in situations where the school rules regarding drugs are broken, the sanctions and punishments will be implemented depending on the nature and severity of the offence. These will be consistent with school rules regarding other breaches of conduct.

St. Pauls aims to keep students in the school system wherever possible, as early school leaving is associated with increased risk of problem behaviours including substance use.

Confidentiality

Teachers cannot offer total confidentiality to a student who discloses drug involvement. We recognise the need for care in this area as the student may be coming to the teacher because they trust him/her and need help. How this situation is handled will have an important bearing on the outcome. Information must remain private and only disclosed on a strict ‘need to know’ basis. The student must be informed about what is happening and why.

The well-being and welfare of the young person and the teacher must be the prime focus. A planned module will be incorporated into the SPHE programme.

We will provide where practicable:

The policy will be reviewed annually, or in the light of changing information, by the present group in consultation with the wider school community.

Teachers, Parents, Students, Board of Management and other relevant groups will be involved in the evaluation of this policy and any changes incorporated into the amended policy.

The three main areas of the policy will evaluate:

1. Drug Education Programmes

2. Managing Drug Related Incidents

3. Parent, Staff and Management Training and courses offered to the school community.

Copies of the policy will be disseminated to all the school community. It will also be freely available from the Principal’s Office and will be available for viewing on the school’s website.

Students will be made aware of the policy as part of their drugs education within the context of a Social, Personal and Health Education Programme.