Staff | Policies & Documents

GUIDELINES FOR BRIGIDINE SCHOOLS:

DRUG EDUCATION

The use of alcohol, tobacco, prescribed medication and other drugs, whether legal or illegal, is a community issue and, as such, ought to be systematically addressed as part of the educative process

The question of legal and illegal drugs is important in all school communities since the habits and mindsets formed during adolescence will be important to the future well being of the students. We accept the responsibility to address the academic, social, spiritual, psychological, physical and emotional needs of the students, including those related to the use/abuse of drugs.

THE VALUE CONTEXT

The general context for education about drugs is found in the Pastoral Care and Teaching and Learning strategies and approaches of the school, all of which need to be implemented in an educated and compassionate way.

DEFINING DRUGS

A drug is commonly defined as any substance which changes the normal way in which the body or mind functions.

Consideration needs to be given to the use of medication, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol, any substances that can be used as inhalants, illegal drugs such as cannabis, amphetamines, Ecstasy and heroin.

A Sense of Perspective

Two points seem important:

Building students' self-esteem and teaching skills needed for good decision making

A positive self esteem is a major contributing factor in students making wise health choices. Activities which assist students develop a good self image need to be built into the curriculum on a regular basis. This needs to be monitored and be documented to ensure it is not overlooked. AS well, there is a general culture which can be built up that is supportive of students self-esteem - for example a firm policy that 'put-downs' are not allowed by anyone in the school.

Values education is an important part of a good education and it is a way of assisting students be more aware of the basis for the decisions they make, including those which involve drugs. Part of good values education is that students discuss the range of responses and outcomes that are possible.

Implications for the curriculum ,

it would seem that in the area of education concerning abusive substances a comprehensive and carefully balanced education is essential for all students. It is important that the messages about drugs given in all parts of the school's culture and curriculum be consistent and coherent.

The following elements of education reflect such a balance

All of these areas require careful planning and documentation so that as far as possible the outcomes for students will be positive. For example, there is a possibility that giving knowledge about drugs can engender curiosity that is counter productive. It is most important to structure what is done to the age and stage of development of the students. As well, the issue of drugs needs to be addressed on a systematic and sequential basis over the years of a student's secondary schooling.

An audit of where in the curriculum the topic (and all the other aspects outlined above) are covered

could be helpful. Appropriate changes can then be introduced. There are obvious places where drug education can occur e.g. S.O.S.E., Science, Religious Education. It is important that coordination occurs so that there is neither too much attention being paid to the issue or too little.

Since the obvious reality is that most students will experiment with drugs at some stage, the question of how to minimise the dangers at these times is an important one for staff to consider.

Role play can be a valuable method for students to develop and practice skills. It is necessary for teachers to use role play activities to reinforce positive drug related behaviours, to ensure that personal disclosure does not take place in such activities and to ensure that debriefing occurs at the end of the activity.

DEALING WITH PARTICULAR DRUG ISSUES

The school does not allow students to

smoke tobacco or other drugs

drink alcoholic beverages

use drugs of dependence or any other legally prohibited substances

use prescribed drugs unless a parent or guardian of the student has negotiated this with the school

inappropriately use solvents or other chemical agents

possess drug-related objects such as syringes, pipes, bongs etc.

attend school or school activities whilst afficted by drugs

The school prohibits the possession, sale, supply, exchange or negotiation of the above when on school premises or on any occasion when the staff have the responsibility for an individual or a group of students.

The use of tobacco

The most frequent problem dealt with by schools continues to be the use of tobacco. It is not illegal for young people under 1 8 to smoke tobacco; (it is illegal for retailers to sell cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18).

However, it is strongly recommended that our schools become totally smoke free. The alternative is to set up smoke free zones in the school which will include all of the areas where student activities occur.

The health dangers associated with both active and passive smoking should be part of the formal curriculum. However, it seems to be that education about health effects of smoking tobacco are not sufficient to change the behaviour of students who have a smoking habit. Other strategies need to be introduced; these may include opportunities for students to be part of a program for stopping smoking, good role models being brought to the school to speak to students, activities that are only open to those who don't smoke.

The Use of alcohol

It seems that many students actually consume alcohol and there is cause for concern particularly when combined with driving or the use of other drugs. It is illegal for students to consume liquor at school (since they are drinking on an unlicensed site without the consent of the owners).

It is more likely that this behaviour is outside school hours and the school has to take this into account in its approach. It is very important to include within the formal and informal curriculum a consideration of the use of alcohol by students.

Working with the parents, particularly around the issue of parties, can be very helpful. If the school staff and parents can develop some consistent approaches, it is much more Uely to be successful than working separately.

The school needs to develop clear guidelines for the consumption of alcohol on school premises or at places such as school camps, excursions and socials. Students should not be allowed to consume alcohol at any school function. Adults (staff or parents) who are responsible for supervising students should not be allowed to consume alcohol during the period of supervision.

Illegal drugs

Where students have to been found to have taken drugs there may be need for immediate action. In the case of any suspected overdose medical attention may be required.

Where at all possible, the student who has taken or given illegal drugs should be counselled and assisted to remain as a part of the school community. This is especially true for the first occasion. However, a warning with no further follow-up is not sufficient. Conditions need to be established and a clear process for monitoring the keeping of these put in place.

It is often difficult to distinguish between the user and the dealer because one frequently leads to the other. It seems necessary for the school population to understand the general approaches the school will take, and yet there needs to be some leeway for adopting a particular set of strategies that suits the individual where necessary.

There is a delicate balance between "normalising" the use of drugs by students and being over reactive in such a way that the young person is treated as a criminal with little chance of reinstatement within the community. In all cases where it is possible, it is important to spend time working through the issue with the parents of the student.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF

Since in many cases the students are more aware of the issues relating to drugs than staff are there is a need for practical and repeated assistance to be given to staff. Information and training sessions should be held to address staff needs.

A one-off session with parents can either communicate that there is a problem in the school or it can give confidence that le school is doing something proactive about the issue.

Some possible approaches are:

The priority for the school is the well-being of the student. The consequences for the student for any drug related offense will depend on the actual involvement, the past record, and the student's own will to reform. A list of consequences that follow various levels of wrong should be drawn up. These could include

• loss of certain privileges

• suspension form school

• notification of police

• transfer to another school (in the case of serious or repeated offenses)

• In general, where students have taken illegal drugs for the first time, a warning and a process for a reasonable amount of follow-up monitoring should happen.

Searching lockers and school bags

As school lockers are the property of the school, they can be searched if there is a cause for concern. School bags belong to the student. A teacher can ask a student to show the contents of a school bag and if it seems warranted the Police may be asked to search the bag in front of the student, teacher and Principal.

On-going Assistance for Individual Students

A case-management approach seems to be the most effective way of dealing with a student who has either taken drugs more than once or dealt in them and who therefore needs on-going help and monitoring. Such a group could consist of a convenor who will bring the group together on a regular basis, a Counsellor, parents (where this is feasible), a staff member and a member of the school's Leadership Team. It could be that another student (perhaps nominated by the young person in trouble) could be part of this team. Meetings should help the student set goals and monitor the achievement of these.

Other issues for staff consideration and decision

alcohol in staff fridge, happy hours, school camp, smoking ....

CONTACTS WITH POLICE AND MEDIA

Notification of Police

Schools are under no legal obligation to report possession of an illegal drug to the Police. This decision lies with the Principal.

However, the development of an ongoing and collaborative relationship between the school and the local Police is very desirable. The Principal (or delegate) is advised to establish contact with the Police and establish some general understandings about where/when the Police and the school may work together. In particular the question of the management of alcohol and other drug related issues should be discussed.

Staff should remember that if an illegal drug is confiscated, they are in then in possession of an illegal substance. It is not unlawful so long as there is a clear intention to deliver it to the Police as soon as possible.

Contacts with media

The Principal will name the person(s) in the school to respond to any calls from the media in relation to incidents involving drugs. It is important to know how to present the issue in order to avoid undue negative publicity. The media contact person needs to be supplied with all relevant information. It is appropriate at times to refuse to comment; it is probably wise not to make a statement until there has been time to consider the matter carefully.

A short written statement is often the best procedure because television or audio statements can be edited and the message, is thus distorted. Names of students, staff, parents should never be mentioned. It is advisable to separately advise staff and parents prior to a media release being made.

OTHER HEALTH ISSUES

Students, while on school premises, are not permitted to use prescribed medicines or analgesics unless this has been previously negotiated with the Principal or the person delegated by the Principal to undertake this task.

Distributing medicines to students

A staff member (or members) will be given the responsibility to administer analgesics.

Managing blood spills

See appendix

Handling needles and syringes

See Appendix

Appendix

[Material available from Human Services (pb. 9616 7777)l

Managing blood spills

The following is the advice given by Human Services (see pamphlet In Safe Hand@ ~Clea~ning up blood spills)

• Wear disposable gloves when handling any body fluid

• Never allow another person's blood on to cuts, sores or broken skin, or near the eyes or mouth

• Clean up spilt blood promptly with a disposable cloth soaked in diluted bleach. Wash all affected surfaces with hot water and bleach.

• All cuts, sores and skin conditions should be covered.

Handling needles and syringes

• Do not try to replace the cap on the needle.

• Tell children never to pick up needles and syringes, but to call an adult.

Drug Use at the school, including the educational and welfare approaches taken (sort of there) Attendance Policy (to ensure students are followed up in terms of attendance)

• Mandatory reporting

• Searches (of lockers, bags, persons)

• Dealing with a critical issue (related to drugs)

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