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Longfield Academy
Drugs & Substance Abuse Policy

May 2002
Updated April 2003

In implementing its drugs policy Longfield Academy is concerned with issues related to the possession, supply or usage of the following:

1. drugs covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act; 1971 (see Appendix 1)
2. Prescription-only medicines not being used in accordance with an officially issued prescription
3. ‘over the counter’ remedies not being used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations or improperly obtained
4. solvents and other volatile or intoxicating substances
5. alcohol
6. tobacco

The School recognises that substance abuse is a nationwide problem and takes a proactive stance on this matter. Through the general ethos of the school and the pastoral and academic curriculum the school will endeavour to ensure that it is a safe and secure place in which to work, that pupils are made aware of issues related to drugs education and that those in need of support feel able to come forward and receive it.

The School condones neither the misuse of the substances defined above by members of the school, nor the illegal supply of these substances. Any instances of their possession, use or supply on the school premises, during school related activities or whilst travelling to and from school will be regarded with the utmost seriousness and will resort in serious disciplinary action. The police will be informed of all incidents related to the use of illegal drugs and substances.

Procedures for dealing with drug related incidents at Longfield Academy

In order to implement Longfield Academy Drugs Policy the following procedures should always be followed.

1. Pupils will have access to drugs education and information through all Key Stages, which will be delivered by appropriate staff who have access to the necessary training and resources. Parents will be made aware of the nature of the drugs information provided for their children.
2. Appropriate counselling will be offered in school to pupils/parents or referral made to outside agencies to help individuals/families overcome problems related to drug abuse. Pupils and parents should feel able to discuss issues related to the use of drugs with a member of staff in private but understand the limits of confidentiality.
3. Pupils and parents must be made aware of the school rules concerning drugs and of the action that will result from deliberately breaking the rules.
4. All incidents/interviews must be recorded in writing giving precise details and any supporting statements must be attached.
5. All items related to an incident (cigarettes, lighters, matches, alcohol, drugs) should be confiscated and passed to a member of the Senior Management Team.
6. Parents or persons with parental responsibility must be notified of any incidents involving the use of drugs, tobacco or alcohol in school, suspicion of use or where it is considered that a pupil may be at risk.
7. If pupils are intoxicated or “high” then they should be kept under observation and emergency aid administered if necessary. Parents must be notified and must arrange for the pupil to be taken home. If necessary the emergency services should be notified. Pupils suspected of being intoxicated or “high” should be observed carefully, a referral completed and a second opinion obtained if possible.
8. An attempt should be made to ascertain from where the pupil has acquired the tobacco, alcohol, solvents or drugs and this information will be given to the police by a member of the Senior Management Team.
9. Staff should be wary of acting on the basis of rumours of drugs within the school. Evidence should be collected before anyone is confronted about concerns over drug abuse. Information from concerned friends should be recorded and discussed with pastoral staff before action is taken. It is dangerous to believe that a drug user can be spotted from physical or behavioural signs as these may have more to do with adolescence than with substance use.

Tobacco

Pupils found smoking tobacco or in possession of it should be placed in detention and parents informed in writing on the first occasion.

Two detentions will result should a second incident occur and pupil and parents informed that any further incidents will result in a fixed term exclusion of three or more days.

Exclusions will result from the third incident onwards and pupils only re-admitted following a parental interview.

Parents will be informed if their children are regularly on the periphery of incidents where the school rules on tobacco are broken.

Alcohol

Pupils found drinking alcohol or under the influence of it should be sent to the School Office and their parents instructed by a senior member of staff to arrange for them to be taken home.

Pupils found in possession of alcohol should be placed in detention and parents informed in writing. Repeated incidents may result in fixed term or permanent exclusion.

Parents will be informed if their children are regularly on the periphery of incidents where the school rules on alcohol are broken.

Drugs & Solvents

Pupils found in possession of illegal drugs covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (see Appendix 1) will be excluded for five days or more in the first instance. The police and social services will be informed and any substances handed to the police. A permanent exclusion will result for any further incident.

Any pupil attempting to supply illegal drugs covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act (see Appendix 1) and/or drugs not being used in accordance with an officially issued prescription will be permanently excluded from school. The police and social services will be informed and any substance handed to the police.

Pupils involved in solvent abuse will be excluded from school for three days or more in the first instance, with re-admittance following a parental interview and permanently for any further incident.

Parents will be informed if their children are on the periphery of incidents involving drug or solvent abuse.

Appendix

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and its Associated Regulations

The main legislation concerned with the control of drugs in the United Kingdom is the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the various Misuse of Drugs regulations made under it.

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 controls the availability of drugs liable to misuse. It provides for flexibility of control by enabling Parliament to bring a new drug of misuse under control by Order in Council and by providing wide powers to make regulations. The drugs which are subject to the Act's controls are termed "controlled drugs" (CDs). They are separated into three classes - Class A, Class B or Class C.

Class A drugs include opium, heroin, morphine and other narcotic drugs placed under strictest control by the UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It also contains cocaine; derivatives of cannabis; injectable amphetamines; and certain other hallucinogens e.g. LSD and MDMA, which are controlled under the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

Class B includes codeine and seven other opiate drugs which are less strictly controlled under the UN Narcotics Convention. It also includes certain barbiturates and six stimulant drugs of the amphetamine group.

Class C contains other drugs in the amphetamine group which are considered to be less dangerous and related drugs e.g. pemoline. It also includes cannabis, cannabis resin, 34 benzodiazepine tranquillisers, 54 anabolic substances, several non-barbiturate sedatives, two appetite suppressant drugs and the opioid analgesic buprenorphine.

Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Act prohibit the import and export, production, supply and possession of controlled drugs.