Drug and Alcohol Policy
Definitions
Drugs: A wide variety of substances may be considered to be drugs, including tobacco, alcohol, prescribed and over-the-counter-medicines and prohibited substances such as cannabis, LSD, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines. Even solvents, petrol, adhesives and other chemical agents may be misused to alter bodily or mental functions. The context in which the substance is used determines whether a substance should be considered a drug or not.
Dealing: Selling, donating, swapping, supplying, distributing, trading or any form of exchange of prescribed medicines and prohibited substances such as cannabis, LSD, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA etc. is viewed as dealing.
Screening: Blood or urine tests conducted under medical supervision.
Position Statement:
The School does not condone the inappropriate use of drugs. All members of the school community (learners, parents, staff and governors) should convey this value by their action and teachings.
In terms of the Code of Conduct, learners are not permitted:
- the smoking of tobacco and prohibited substances
- the use of drugs
- the consumption of alcohol
- the inappropriate use of medicines
- the inappropriate use of solvents, inhalants and/or other chemical agents,
- to be under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs,
- the possession of drug related paraphernalia such as cigarette papers, pipes etc.
Dealing is likewise not permitted.
According to the Code of Conduct the possession of, use of or dealing in drugs is not permitted while a learner is in school uniform, participating in an activity sanctioned by the School or when he/she is in any public place where he/she is likely - by reason of any utterance or conduct on his/her part - to be identified by the public as a learner of the Fish Hoek High School.
The consequences for breaching the Code of Conduct are set out in the Code. In addition to the appropriate punishment the consequences may include the drawing up of a contract relating to rehabilitation and corrective action between all the parties. Punishment may include suspension or suspension with a view to expulsion.
Policy
The School strives to serve the learners and community in partnership with the parents/guardians. The approach to drug-related issues is supportive and restorative rather than punitive (without denying the provisions of the Code of Conduct).
The School recognizes that a wide variety of addictive drugs is available in the community and that our learners are exposed to these substances through many channels. The learners are vulnerable to drug abuse and should be equipped to deal with the problem.
The situation is compounded by the fact that the learners, parents and teachers seldom possess the skills and information required to counsel learners. The School therefore accepts the challenge of training staff and educating learners and parents in order to equip the community to deal with the challenge of drug abuse.
Drug dependence is acknowledged to be a primary, chronic and progressive illness. The School will therefore attempt to support learners who need help in ending their dependence upon drugs and thus protect their school careers. Where the learners and parents do not wish to accept the help offered to them the School will have no choice but to apply the Code of Conduct and take whatever action is deemed necessary, including suspension with a view to expulsion.
Prevention
The School undertakes to train teachers and present prevention and information sessions to pupils and parents/guardians. Where necessary, outside resources will be employed.
Searches
Where a staff member in authority reasonably suspects that a learner has a drug in his or her possession, the learner's person and locker may be searched by the staff member or an appointed nominee. Such a search should occur in the presence of the learner concerned, a person of the learner's choice who is readily available as a support, and a second adult witness.
Screening
Where a staff member in authority reasonably suspects that a learner is under the influence of a drug the learner may immediately be sent to an appointed nominee for screening. The intention is to identify a young person who may be moving into addiction, not to victimize learners.
In addition, a number of randomly- selected pupils will be screened each week. Parents & guardians will be asked to include their children in this programme in order to assist their children withstand the ever-increasing pressure to abuse drugs.
Action by the School
Staff will be selected and trained in handling drug-related cases. Guidelines for investigating such cases are included in the Substance Abuse for Educators (SAFE) manual used by the trained staff, who may call in professional assistance when necessary.
Every case will be dealt with confidentially and in consultation with parents/guardians.
Individual symptoms will not be investigated, but a pattern of indicators will be considered. The indicators may include a decline in schoolwork and achievements, withdrawal from school activities, and changes in attitudes and behaviour. Only rumours that are consistent with other indicators will be investigated.
The School may require a contract to be drawn up between the parties involved.
This contract could include:
- the treatment options agreed upon by all relevant parties;
- a screening programme;
- an expectation that attitudes, behaviour and achievements will improve;
- that any Counsellor, therapist or outside care-giver involved is authorised by the parents/guardian to furnish the School with progress reports;
- provision for the renegotiation of the contract.
Such a contract would be broken if the learner and/or parent/guardian take it upon themselves to stop treatment, screening or any other provision of the contract. In the event of breach of contract the normal disciplinary procedures provided for by the Code of Conduct would apply and the learner might be suspended with a view to expulsion.
A contract might not always be appropriate. The School reserves the right to recommend that a learner be transferred elsewhere to complete his/her education if it is in the interest of the learner and/or the School.
Costs
Parents/guardians are responsible for all the costs involved in a drug-related incident, including screening and counselling.
Acknowledgements
Parents/guardians are required to acknowledge by signature that they have read and understood this Policy when enrolling their children