Tuition, Medical and Behaviour Support Service Drugs and Alcohol Policy Adopted: January 2017 Next Review: January 2018 Governing Committee: January 2018 Responsibility: Greg Portman
TMBSS is committed to tackling drug misuse amongst pupils. In managing any incidents, the following tenets must apply The welfare of all the pupils is paramount Parental involvement is necessary The requirements of the Law and local procedure (this policy) will be upheld The management of Drug Related Incidents at TMBSS 1.0 Drug Misuse 1.1 The Government defines Drug Misuse as the non-medical use of drugs that are only intended for use in medical treatment, and the use of drugs that have no accepted medical purpose. Such drugs are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs act 1971. (The act does not cover solvent misuse) 1.2 Classification of drugs Class A Class B Class C Heroin, Methadone Amphetamines Mild amphetamines (speed) Opium, Cocaine, Barbiturates Tranquilisers Crack cocaine LSD Codeine DF118 (painkillers) Ecstasy, Processed Cannabis (all forms) Magic Mushrooms Any Class B drug which is injected 1.3 The Government s overall drugs strategy focuses in illegal drugs only and a clear distinction must be maintained between illegal drugs and others. These other substances may raise common issues.
2.0 The Law on Drugs 2.1 It is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: To supply or offer a controlled drug to another in contravention of the act; To be in possession of, or to possess with the intent to supply another, a controlled drug in contravention to the Act; it is a defence to the offence of possession that, knowing or suspecting it to be a controlled drug, the accused took possession of it for the purpose of preventing another from committing to continuing to commit an offence and that as soon as possible after taking possession of it he/she took all such steps as were reasonably open to him/her to destroy the drug or to deliver it into the custody of a person lawfully entitled to take custody of it; For the occupier or someone concerned in the management of any premises knowingly to permit or suffer on those premises: the smoking of cannabis, or the production, attempted production, supply, attempted supply, or offering to supply any controlled drug. 3.0 Dealing with Drugs 3.1 The school will liaise closely with the local police force to ensure that there will be agreement for dealing with any incidents which might arise involving illegal drugs. The head of service will be responsible for this or a designated member of SLT. 3.2 The staff dealing with an incident will, wherever possible, take possession of any substance suspected of being a controlled drug. 3.3 The school will hand the substance to the police, who will be able to identify whether it is an illegal drug: school staff should not attempt to analyse or taste any unidentified substance. 3.4 Whenever possible, any quantity of suspected substance must be taken to a secure place. This should be done in presence of the person from whom it has been taken and another adult. The suspected substance must be placed in a sealed envelope and the details/time/quantity should be recorded on the outside. The envelope should then be placed in a secure place. 3.5 Where pupils are suspected of concealing illegal drugs on their person, every effort should first be made to secure a voluntary production of
any unlawful substance, e.g., by asking them to turn out their pockets and bags preferably in the presence of another adult. If the pupil refuses, the police should be called to deal with the situation. 3.6 Where a member of staff is told, or is aware, of possible criminal activity outside school premises, they must inform the Head of Service or DSL, who will inform the police in the interests of safeguarding the health and safety of people in the surrounding area. 3.7 All incidents involving drugs must be reported to the Head of Service. 3.8 The Head of Service will retain the responsibility for deciding how to respond to particular incidents involving illegal drugs. The Head of Service will consider each incident individually, and reinforce that a variety of responses may be necessary. The implications of any action taken will be considered very carefully. The following has been provided and will contribute to, but not constrain, the Head of Service s decision making: Whether: The substance known/admitted? The substance legal? If not, what category does it fall into? There any intention to supply others? The quantity such that it could only be for personal use by the possessor? The possessor of previous good conduct? Summary of responses available Confiscation of the substance. Involving parents. Offering counselling Referral to external agencies Institute disciplinary procedures Inform the police of any relevant information. 4.0 Signs of Drug Misuse or Substance Misuse 4.1 Early detection of drugs misuse is extremely important. If a young person s drugs misuse is identified at an early stage, it is easier for action to be taken to prevent further misuse of drugs. Teachers and non-teaching staff should be alert to the warning signs which may indicate that a pupil is misusing drugs. Teacher need to be particular vigilant when they are in charge of activities which take groups away from school premises. 4.2 Some of the main signs which may be associated with drugs misuse are summarises in Table 1, 2, and 3. The presence of these signs alone is not conclusive proof of drug or solvent misuse; many of them are part of normal adolescent behaviours. All incidents must be reported to the Head of Service.
5.0 Dealing with non-illegal substances (e.g. alcohol, solvents, cigarettes, poppers) 5.1 The precepts which underpin the school s approach to illegal substances, also apply to the use/misuse of other substances. 6.0 The school will act in these cases within the letter and spirit relevant legislation but will work in partnership with parents and other agencies as necessary from the outset.
Referral Procedure for dealing with substance use/misuse problems (This covers legal substances such as Tobacco, Alcohol, Solvents, Medicines and Illegal substances such as Cannabis, Amphetamines, Ecstasy, and LSD etc.) Suspected Drugs related Incident has occurred NO Is the young person/people unconscious? Is the young person/people conscious, intoxicated or high? Stay calm Make sure they do not wander off and injure Place casualty in recovery position themselves, sit them in a quiet well ventilated Dial 999 ambulance room. Do not shout, threaten or attempt a Collect any evidence of what has deep discussion about drug use. Talk quietly been taken e.g. pills, syringes and calmly, if distressed, calm and reassure. Is the young person/people in possession of suspected illegal substance? No Seize and hold the substance in a safe place Contact Police for advice or destroy in the Presence of a witness Talk, arrange to talk about drug use (see do s and don ts advice) Follow school drug policy procedure. YES Was the decision made to destroy the substance No Consider informing: Parents/Guardian, Police, Governors LEA follow school If Police involved, is prosecution to follow? drug policy procedure Depending upon Consider internal responses to staff, pupils, governors, Parents. Support services, legal aspects, support structures, Media responses, prevention programme. circumstances it is possible to use this flowchart with different points of entry
Table 1 Warning signs in Individuals Changes in attendance, and being unwilling to take part in school activities. Decline in performance in school work. Unusual outbreaks of temper, marked swings of mood, restlessness or irritability. Reports from parents that more time is being spent away from home, possibly with new friends or with friends in older age groups. Excessive spending or borrowing of money. Stealing money or goods. Excessive tiredness without obvious cause. No interest in physical appearance. Sores or rashes, especially on the mouth or nose. Lack of appetite. Heavy use of cents, colognes etc. to disguise the smell of drugs. Wearing sunglasses in inappropriate times (to hide dilated or constricted pupils). Table 2 Warning Signs in Groups Regular absence on certain days. Keeping at a distance from other pupils, away from supervision points (e.g. groups who frequently gather near the gate of a school playground or sports field). Being the subject of rumours about drug taking. Talking to strangers on or near the premises. Stealing which appears to be the work of several individual rather than one person (e.g. perhaps to shoplift solvents.) Use of drug takers slang. Exchanging money or other objects in unusual circumstances. Associating briefly with one person who is much other and not normally part of the peer group. Table 3 objects that may indicate drug use Foil containers or cup shapes made from silver foil, perhaps discoloured by heat. Metal tins. Spoons discoloured by heat. Pill boxes. Plastic, cellophane or metal foil wrappers. Small plastic or glass phials or bottles. Twists of paper. Straws. Sugar lumps. Syringes and needles. Cigarette papers and lighters.
Spent matches. Plastic bags or butane gas containers (solvent abuse). Cardboard or other rubes (heroin). Stamps, stickers, transfers or similar items. Shredded cigarettes, home rolled cigarettes and pipes (cannabis). Paper (about 2 inches square) folded to form an envelope (heroin).