St.Marys

Revised Substance Use Policy of St. Mary's B.N.S., Grange Rd, Rathfarnham

January 2008

This policy was reviewed by a committee comprising: Teachers ( Lizzie Houston, SPHE coordinator; Niamh Hughes, Teachers' Representative on Health & Safety Committee; Edward O'Riordan, School Health & Safety Coordinator) ; Parents ( Irene Harpur Parents' Association Representative; Patricia Conlon, Parents' Association Representative and Health & Safety Committee Member) and Board of Management( Nicky O'Riordan, Parents' Representative on BOM)
Meeting held on 23/1/08 at 8pm, St. Mary's staff room.

Scope

This policy applies to Parents, Pupils, Board of Management, and to all staff in St. Mary's as well as persons involved in school related activities.

Introduction

St. Mary's B.N.S. is committed to addressing the needs of the whole school in relation to drugs and substance use. This policy has been drawn up and accepted by the Principal, Teachers, Parents/Guardians, Board of Management and other relevant personnel. It is necessary that all involved work together to implement this policy.
In this policy the term “drug” means any substance which changes the way the body functions, mentally, physically, and emotionally. The school recognises that drugs, both legal and illegal, are available in the local community and that the school, as part of the community, has an important role in terms of education, prevention, and of supporting those who are affected by drugs.

Relationship to School Ethos, Mission Statement & Vision

As stated in the school's mission statement, St. Mary's is committed to enabling children to fulfil their academic, intellectual, moral, social, cultural and physical potential. This school also believes that education flourishes in an environment where positive 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.
cf. School Mission Statement
cf. School Vision Statement 24/10/07

Rationale
The world in which we live presents young people with many challenges that affect their health and well-being. Exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and drugs is part of this reality. St. Mary's B.N.S. aims to provide for the needs of the students and respond appropriately to what are sometimes sensitive and emotive issues.
The Education Act (1998) states that schools should promote the social, personal and health development of children.
The National Drugs Strategy 'Building On Experience' is now Government policy and it requires schools to have a substance use policy in place.



Objectives

The objectives of the substance use policy of St. Mary's B.N.S. come under three headings:

Education
The educational aims concerning substance use are:
to provide children with the opportunity to develop self-esteem and confidence
to equip students with personal and social skills
to enable children to make informed, healthy and responsible choices
to provide honest and age-appropriate information on drugs
to enable children to become aware of peer pressure
to help children develop assertiveness skills
to provide opportunities where children can practice decision-making skills

Education concerning substance use will be provided in the broad context of a Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) as outlined in our SPHE School Policy, specifically the Walk Tall programme: The Substance Misuse Prevention Programme for Primary Schools.
(cf. Appendix 1- List of Useful Resources )
This programme is a comprehensive Social, Personal and Health Education Programme with a particular focus on Substance Misuse for all classes from Junior Infants to 6th Class. It includes components aimed at developing young peoples' life-skills and emotional well-being.
The SPHE programme will be delivered in the context of a supportive whole-school environment.
SPHE training or any relevant training will be offered to Teachers.
Outside speakers may be used where appropriate to reinforce work done in class.








2.Management of alcohol, tobacco and drug-related incidents

Incidents involving alcohol, tobacco and drug use might include:
Use or suspected use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs on the school premises or during a school-related activity
Emergencies where a person may be unconscious
Intoxication/ unusual behaviour indicating intoxication
Disclosure about use
Finding the substances and/ or associated paraphernalia
Possession and/or supply on the school premises or during a school-related activity
School grounds being used for drug activity






The procedure for such incidents is:
All suspected or confirmed incidents will be communicated to the Principal or in his absence, his representative , logged and held confidentially by the Principal.
Parents / Guardians will be informed sensitively , and support will be offered to them. Provisions may be made for professional help such as Gardaí or health professionals.
Where illegal substances are involved, the Gardaí Juvenile Liaison Officer will automatically be involved.
The Board of Management will be notified.

“It must be remembered that within the school setting it is not just students who may be involved in substance use but also any individual who is part of the school community whether Principal, Teacher, Support Staff or Parent.”
(cf. Understanding Substances and Substance Use – A Handbook For Teachers p.81 )

Any concern a staff member may have regarding a Parent or Guardian related to substance misuse will be brought to the attention of the Principal.

Disclosures
If a pupil voluntarily discloses information about substance use it is important to:
-take time to listen and assess before responding
-separate fact from rumour
-record details and act accordingly

Confidentiality
It is important that the limits of confidentiality are discussed with students before any disclosure is made. The well being of the child and teacher must be a primary focus. It is important that 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.

Media
The Principal, or in his absence, his representative, will handle all media enquiries. They will not comment on individual cases but will refer to the school policy and procedures in place.

Disciplinary Procedures
The school aims to respond to incidents involving alcohol, tobacco and drug use in a planned and considered way. In certain cases it may be necesssary to seek legal advice. Due care will be important in deciding on the balance between a pastoral and a disciplinary response. An appropriate pastoral response to an incident may include referral to a support agency. It should be stressed that the ultimate sanction of expulsion can have the effect of alienating a student from mainstream sources of help and may result in this student becoming more involved in the culture of drug misuse.










The Use of Drugs in School

Alcohol:
Alcohol may not be consumed or stored in the school/school grounds except in the following circumstances:
school functions and other functions approved by the BOM
as presentations/gifts.
Alcohol should not be consumed at school functions/ school trips by anybody who has children under their duty of care at that time.

Tobacco:
Tobacco smoking is not permitted in the school building or school grounds
(cf. Non-Smoking Policy , Health and Safety Statement p.22)

Administration of medicine:

The Board of Management Handbook states the following:
No teacher can be required to administer medicine or drugs to a pupil. Any teacher who is willing to administer medicines should only do so under strictly controlled guidelines, fully confident that the administration will be safe. This will be limited to emergency situations only. A teacher who does take responsibility for administering medicines takes on a heavy legal duty of care to discharge the responsibility correctly. Parent(s) of the pupil concerned should write to the Board of Management requesting the Board to authorise a member of staff to administer the medication. The request should also contain written instructions of the procedure to be followed in administering the medication. A teacher should not administer medication without the specific authorisation form the Board. In administering medication to pupils, teachers should exercise the standard of care of a reasonable and prudent parent.
In emergencies teachers should do no more than is obviously necessary and appropriate to relieve distress or prevent further harm. Qualified medical treatment should be secured in emergencies at the earliest opportunity.
Medicines are safely stored in the office. Valerie Jacobs, Secretary is responsible for these.
(cf. Board of Management Handbook, Appendix 45)
(cf. BOM Acute Medical Condition Form, Health and Safety Statement)



Illegal drugs:
This school does not accept the possession, use or supply of illegal drugs in the school, on school grounds, on school trips by any member of the school community.

Solvents:
Solvents must only be used as specified on the container. They should be stored safely when not in use.









3.Provision for training and staff development

In St. Mary's B.N.S. there is a shared understanding among the staff of the contribution an SPHE programme can make to the prevention of substance misuse. All staff members are aware of the contribution they can make to the prevention of substance misuse in their own class by developing a supportive class environment.
The school will facilitate training in the SPHE programme, especially Walk Tall.
The school may avail of Walk Tall Drugs Information & Awareness sessions for Primary Teachers which can be delivered as part of a staff meeting or a school development planning day.
A number of SNAs and ancillary staff have received First Aid training.
The school will provide information regarding information evenings or workshops relating to drugs to parents including Walk Tall Parent Information Sessions which are aimed at parents of 6th class parents.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Substance Use Committee comprising Teachers, Parents Representatives and Board of Managment representatives are responsible for the policy development, implementation and evaluation in consultation with Staff, Parents and BOM.

Teachers:
Lizzie Houston (SPHE Coordinator)
Niamh Hughes (Teachers' Representative of School Health and Safety Committee)
Edward O'Riordan (School Health and Safety Coordinator)

Parents:
Irene Harpur (Parents' Association Representative)
Patricia Conlon (Parents' Association and Health & Safety Committee Member)

Board of Management:
Nicky O'Riordan (Parents' Representative, Board of Management)


Timeframe
This policy was revised in January 2008. The completed policy will be circulated to teaching staff prior to the February Staff Meeting 2008 and to all other staff on Thursday 7th February 2008.
It will be presented at the Parents' Association Meeting on February 12th and to the Board of Management at the February meeting.
The policy will be implemented from March 2008.
It will be subject to review in March 2011.


Success Criteria

This plan will be considered successful if it is used as a basis for teachers' planning and preparation, and if the procedures outlined in this plan have been followed consistently. We will also consider it successful if the children have been enabled to achieve the aims outlined in this policy.