Drugs Education & Prevention Policy

Introduction

This policy is drawn up in the context of a society where drugs are readily available and are now considered to be part of the culture for young people.

While school cannot per se change the increasingly tolerant views of society relative to misuse of illicit drugs, they can still reflect its highest values and ideals. We believe that the only way to do this is by providing an effective, comprehensive health education programme for our pupils, of which drugs education forms an essential part.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF DRUGS EDUCATION PROGRAMME

Knowledge and understanding

To provide accurate information on drugs, both legal and illegal and their associated risks and effects on health, including psychological and emotional effects.

To explain the Law relating to drug taking and possible penalties involved.

To inform pupils of the school’s attitude to pupils involved in drugs offences and associated disciplinary action.

Skills

To develop positive attitudes to personal health.

To enhance young people’s self-respect and to assist them to develop skills which will enable them to take responsibility for their own health and safety.

To develop skills to enable pupils to understand the varying attitudes and perspectives which exist towards drug-related issues and to enable them to make informed decisions on drugs.

To promote a sense of responsibility in respect of the family and community health.

To minimise the number of young people who will engage in drug misuse.

DELIVERY OF THE PROGRAMME

Drugs education within the school is taught as part of a cross-curricular theme as well as being given an explicit place in the curriculum, being dealt with extensively in Health Education and Personal and Social Education programmes. Coverage in these areas allows relevant knowledge, attitudes and skills gained in other curriculum areas to be supplemented and reinforced. Cross curricular drugs education is included in Biology, Religious Education, Physical Education and Home Economics. The courses are graduated, depending on the age and maturity of the pupils involved. A more detailed breakdown of the education programme on drugs is included in Appendix 2.

This programme is augmented by the use of external agencies with specific areas of expertise.

STAFF SUPPORT AND TRAINING

The Headmaster is ultimately responsible for the implementation of the Drugs Education Programme across the curriculum, in consultation with senior members of the teaching staff. However all members of staff are expected to be familiar with the principles and procedures outlined in this policy document, together with the steps taken in the event of any suspected incident relating to drugs.

This policy will be kept under review.

APPENDIX 1

DRUGS DISCIPLINARY POLICY

The Headmaster and the Board of Governors consider possession of drugs by pupils while in School uniform, in School or at a School related function as a serious breach of School rules.
Possession of drugs as defined in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is a criminal offence; therefore any pupil found in possession of drugs, as defined in the Act, will be reported to the police.
Irrespective of any measures taken by the police, the Headmaster will decide on the appropriate action in the first instance. He may take any of the following measures; warning, suspension, or suspension pending consideration of exclusion.
In considering the punishment for any particular breach, the Headmaster will take into account the nature and gravity of the breach, the effect or potential effect of the breach on other pupils and any other relevant circumstances or information.
Any pupil who supplies drugs to another pupils will, in the first instance, be suspended from school, pending further consultation. If such a serious breach of School rules is confirmed, the pupil may expect to be excluded. The Headmaster will refer the matter to the Warden and the Board of Governors.
The Board of Governors having considered the information put forward to them by the Headmaster will decide whether or not exclusion may be appropriate. In so doing it will ensure that before exclusion takes place there has been consultation between the Headmaster, the parent / guardian of the pupil, the Chief Executive / other authorised officer of the Education and Library Board and the Warden in accordance with the regulations. Where exclusion is decided upon, the Headmaster shall immediately give written notification to the parent / guardian of that pupil of the right to appeal the decision to exclude the pupil, of the time limits set by the Education and Library Board for lodging an appeal and of where the appeal may lodged.
Pupils found to be in breach of School Rules as mentioned above will be expected to undergo a drugs awareness education programme/counselling.
No pupil will be admitted to the School from another school if he / she has committed an offence relating to drugs or has broken any of the rules set out above, unless the Headmaster receives written evidence from an appropriate authority that the pupil has fully participated in a recognised programme of drugs education/counselling.

APPENDIX 2

DRUGS EDUCATION PROGRAMME

FORM 1

Health Education

Simple introduction to drugs generally.
Video - The Drug Knot
Alcohol, video - “Alcohol use and abuse”
Smoking video - “If I’m Lyin’ I’m Dyin’”

FORM 2

Biology

As part of KS3, there is some work done on the effects of cigarette smoking (lung cancer, heart disease, carbon monoxide, passive smoking).

FORM 3

Biology

Effect of drugs on pregnancy (smoking and alcohol), with emphasis on the facts.

Religious Education

Under the Sixth Commandment, there is considerable work done on smoking, alcohol and drugs.

Videos:

“Sorted” (Leah Betts) - Ecstasy
“Alcopops”

Religious Education

A project is done on alcohol and its effects

Drugs Awareness Seminar - Outside Speaker.

Tutorials

‘Making Choices, Taking Risks’ module

FORM 4

Biology

Smoking and Health

FORM 5

Biology

Discussion on the effects of alcohol, drug and solvent abuse on society including addiction and the cost to society.

Effect of drugs on pregnancy (smoking and alcohol), with emphasis on the facts. (Triple Award Science pupils)

Religious Education

In the G.C.S.E. and non G.C.S.E. classes, work is done on alcohol and drugs.

SIXTH FORMS

Various approaches are taken to drugs in the Lower and Middle Sixth years.

Videos:

“Where’s the party then?” (alcohol)
Panorama programme on cannabis.

School News

OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION

9th May 2008

Annual Dinner - Ramada Hotel, Belfast

REUNION OF GIRLS’ HOCKEY & TENNIS CUP WINNING TEAMS 1956-1961

26th Apr 2008

To be held on Saturday 26th April 2008