The school is concerned with doing all that it can to prevent individual students from involvement in drugs and to create an environment free of drugs.
The School’s policy is both educational and disciplinary. Both approaches are in their different ways manifestations of the School’s wish to care for students and to reassure parents and the community. In formulating this policy the School has taken into account the implications of disciplinary action, the individual circumstances of the student involved as well as the impact upon other students and the community generally.
The Schools policy is in line with, and links to our Child Protection Policy and general policy on discipline. The policy was developed after taking into account the ‘Department for Education and ACPO drug advice for schools’ 2012.
Substances covered by this Policy (“prohibited substances”)
This policy incorporates alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, volatile substances, certain permanent ink markers, all forms of medicines, pain killers whether prescribed or bought over the counter, and all other legal and illegal drugs. It also applies to glue, aerosol sprays, and other substances where they are used as intoxicants.
Involvement in the abuse of any such substances constitutes "involvement in drug related activity". Any prescribed medicines to be taken in school need to be left with and taken at the Medical Centre, except for inhalers and epipens which should be carried by the student. Other prescribed medicines, may only be carried by the pupils, with express permission from the Medical Centre and the knowledge of their Housemaster/Housemistress (Boarders) or Divisional Principal.
Drugs Education at ACS Schools
As a school, we take seriously our role in educating all young people in our care about drugs and other harmful substances, their uses and abuses, and how to handle situations in which pupils may be offered legal or illegal highs.
We will also try to help pupils, parents and staff to be more knowledgeable about, and better prepared to deal with, any drug related issues or concerns. Drugs Education is taught in MS and HS by staff, School Nurses and outside agencies.
The School emphasises that such drugs education adds to the input which parents are expected to make as part of the upbringing of their own children.
Definition of School jurisdiction:
This policy applies on School premises and/or when it involves any member of the School community during School hours, whilst pupils are in residence in boarding houses (whether in or out of School and including holiday time spent under School guardianship), on visits and trips, at School events and other occasions related to the School and on any occasions when the pupils are the responsibility of the staff.
This policy also applies when students are off site because of study leave or other arrangements are in place, where the student is the responsibility of the school.
When pupils are traveling to and from school they are considered to be representing the school and therefore the school rules apply. This includes senior HS students, who remain subject to school jurisdiction even if off site, for example during activity time or when allowed off site when not being taught.
The remit of this policy includes out of hours social functions which take place off site and out of staff supervision, but which are published by the organisers as school events and are attended by ACS School students.
Substance Misuse
Pupils are absolutely forbidden to engage in any drug related activity whilst under the jurisdiction of the School. They are forbidden to share, or attempt to share, ingest or otherwise use any substance which, when used by the student with the intention to bring about a state of intoxication, causes the behavior of the student to be a threat to the health and safety of the student concerned or any other member of the School; or otherwise disrupt the orderly operation of any part of the educational process for which the School is responsible.
Pupils must not engage in any drug related activity whilst under the jurisdiction of the School. This will include involvement in the purchase, possession, supply, intent to supply, being concerned in supply or consumption of the substances covered by this policy.
A pupil who is found under the School jurisdiction in possession of a drug, or any illegal substance, for abusive purposes is in breach of the School rule banning possession, even if the pupil was not planning to consume the drug while under School jurisdiction.
A period of fixed-term exclusion from the School, pending further investigation, would normally be recommended for involvement in purchase, possession or consumption of illegal drugs or substance of abuse while under School jurisdiction.
Permanent exclusion would be sanctioned for purchase, possession or consumption of any Class A substance. (A Class A substance is one which is categorized as such by Law. For example: cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, LSD). Other activities warranting permanent exclusion include:
· Repeat offending.
· Involvement of other pupils (Dealing and Distribution).
Involvement in the supply of drugs can take many forms. Any of the following, for example, would be seen as involvement in the supply of drugs and therefore a most serious offence:
a) Sharing a drug with others.
b) Helping or facilitating another pupil to gain access to drugs or come into contact with someone willing to deal drugs.
c) Making arrangements for another pupil to buy drugs, even if the transaction itself were to take place outside the School and outside School hours.
d) Making drugs or any illegal substance accessible to other pupils.
Please note the above list is not exhaustive.
The individual case of involvement in the supply of drugs will be assessed independently. Intent to supply or attempt to supply will be treated as a serious offence, even if no supply actually takes place. A pupil does not have to make a monetary or any other gain from passing on a drug to be guilty of involvement in supply. A pupil does not have to be introducing or encouraging others who have no previous drug involvement to be guilty of supply. A pupil who supplies a drug to another as a drug of abuse commits a serious offence even if he/she is passing over a substance which is not an illegal drug and is not harmful.
For a pupil to lead another to unwittingly consume a drug of abuse is a serious offence. Pupils who place themselves in such a way as to give support and encouragement to drug related activity (e.g. by joining pupils who are truant from class to take a drug of abuse) should expect to face serious sanction for offering that support or encouragement, even if they bought no drug and consumed no drug themselves.
Abuse of drugs which can be bought commercially or obtained under prescription is strictly forbidden and a serious offence, again meriting exclusion.
ACS Schools are not able to cater for every eventuality in this policy. The above examples demonstrate the type of conduct which would be in breach of the School rules and in some cases the criminal law as well.
All such involvements would be likely to lead to a period of exclusion from School, up to and including permanent exclusion.
The School will use definitions of terms such as "possession" and "supply" which are consistent with the current criminal law. In consideration of any allegation that a student is involved in drug related activity, ACS school will apply the civil standard of proof, the balance of probabilities.
Any involvement in supply of drugs is an aggravating factor which will make permanent exclusion more likely than a fixed term exclusion.
ACS Policy rationale
ACS reserves the right to expel any student caught with any kind of prohibited substance. At the same time, however, we recognise that learning to make decisions is a necessary part of growth, and that students occasionally make bad decisions. The school will consider each drug-related incident individually and recognises that a variety of responses will be necessary to deal with the student(s) involved. When dealing with an individual case, it may be necessary to carry out more than one of the responses shown in Section 3.1.
While we are willing to work with students who have been involved in drug-related incidents, the structure necessary to support students with serious drug abuse problems is not available at ACS. ACS has a responsibility to provide the best care and educational environment for all of its students and must consider the needs of the rest of the student body when making decisions about responses to drug related cases.
Substance abuse education
Drug use and misuse have become increasingly common in our society. Children and young people of school age are part of society and as such the school recognises the need to:
· Prepare and equip students for life in society, by informing them of the potential dangers of drug use.
· Provide students with information to make informed decisions.
Consideration is given to the Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education Curriculum guidance for schools at key stages 1-4 (QCA 2003) when offering Health programmes at ACS Schools.
Aim and Objectives:
Aim The overall aim of drug education at ACS is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to be in a position to make informed, healthy choices and decisions and to prevent or reduce the harmful consequences of drug misuse.
Objectives
· To provide accurate information about drugs and the laws relating to them
· To increase understanding about the implications and possible consequences of use and misuse of drugs
· To provide opportunities to examine attitudes to drug use
· To promote the development of personal and social skills relating to healthy behaviour and opportunity to practise them
· To enable young people to identify sources of appropriate personal support
Various resources and methodologies are used in drug and alcohol education and include for example, visiting speakers, TV programmes, role plays, debates and discussions as well as staff training and support.
Medication
All student medication should be stored in either the nurse’s office, divisional offices or under special circumstances in the homeroom teacher’s office. The medicine distribution requires adult supervision. Any staff members responsible for distributing medicine have received basic training from the school nurse regarding medicine distribution safety. Parental permission is required before any medicine may be given to a student.
School trips and excursions
If a student is caught in possession of a legal substance (tobacco or alcohol) on a school trip, sports trip or school excursion, the drug will be confiscated and the incident recorded. The trip supervisor will contact the parents and divisional principal. The student will be dealt with on an individual basis and according to the policy (see Section 3.1 ‘Range of Responses’).
If a student is caught in possession of an illegal substance on a school trip or excursion, the drug will be confiscated (with adult witness) and the incident recorded. The trip supervisor will contact the parents and the divisional principal. The student will be sent home (at expense of parent). The student will be dealt with on an individual basis and according to the policy (see Section 3.1 ‘Range of Responses’).
Possible range of responses to incidents
Following a drug related incident one or more of the responses below will be discussed with the student and his/her family. The chosen response will reflect the school’s desire to ensure the best care and support for the student(s) involved and the rest of the student body.
The range of responses:
1. The use of in-school counselling services.
2. Referral to school approved outside agencies for counselling and medical treatment.
3. The police may be informed where deemed necessary.
4. Behavioural contracts which clearly state the terms on which a student can remain in the school and the support structures put in place. This may include mandatory drug testing.
5. The student could be suspended from school for a fixed period of time (or pending further investigation).
6. The student could be required to leave the school.
The management of any drug related incident is co-ordinated through a committee that could include: Deputy-Head of School, Divisional Principal, Divisional School Counsellor, Child Protection Officer (if necessary) and Head of Dormitory (if necessary) and Head of Admissions (if necessary) or their designees.
Immediate response to a substance abuse related incident
Incidents involving drugs (both legal and illegal) may take the form of emergencies, intoxication, discovery/observation, disclosure and suspicion/hearsay.
Emergency situations
If a student is deemed to be in danger as a result of drug misuse (e.g. collapsed, unconscious), the following course of action will be taken:
· Notify divisional office by the fastest possible means to call an ambulance and briefly outline cause of the emergency
· Summon help immediately from the school nurse (or first aider if nurse is not available)
· Provide emergency aid to student
· Notify Head of School and Divisional Principal
· Notify student’s parent / guardian
· Remove, in presence of an adult witness, any suspicious substances / equipment and retain in case they are required by ambulance staff
· Complete a report and the incident will be dealt with according to policy (see Section 3.1 ‘Range of Responses’)
Intoxication
If student is intoxicated, but does not require immediate medical assistance then the following course of action will be taken:
· Student will be removed to a quiet room and accompanied by a member of staff at all times
· The school nurse will be contacted (or first aider outside school hours)
· Parents / guardians will be informed and called to the school to collect the student and advised to take student to their GP
· Complete a report and the incident will be dealt with according to policy (see Section 3.1 ‘Range of Responses’)
Discovery / observation
If a student is discovered possessing, using or dealing any substances not permitted in school, or is found to have tested positive for any prohibited substance, the following course of action will be taken:
· The student will be escorted by member of staff to a senior member of staff
· Notify the Head of School and Divisional Principal (and Head of Boarding if necessary)
· The senior member of staff will seek to remove any suspicious substances from the student (in presence of adult witness) or to secure the voluntary production of any substances believed to be concealed by the student. Any substance taken possession of will be sealed in a labelled plastic bag, signed by witness with the date and time added.
· The student will be kept away from peers and asked to write down their own account of the incident. The student will be informed of the seriousness of the situation.
· The student will be interviewed by the Divisional Principal, or designee, with another member of staff present. (In the case of Boarders, two Houseparents will interview the student)
· Parents / guardians will be informed and may be asked to attend the school.
· The student may be suspended from school pending further investigation but in such cases a ‘suspension letter’ must be prepared by the Divisional Principal (or Head of Boarding) or designee and sent to the parents after they have been advised of the suspension.
· If the substance is suspected to be illegal the senior member of staff may decide to contact the police for further advice.
· Complete a report and the incident will be dealt with according to policy (see Section 3.1 ‘Range of Responses’)
Disclosure
A student may disclose to a member of staff that (s)he has been using drugs or is concerned about someone else’s drug use out of school hours. In cases such as this, concern for the student is paramount. Information about a student in relation to drugs will be dealt with in the same way as other sensitive information. However, where a student discloses information which may suggest that (s)he is at risk, the student must be aware that the member of staff cannot guarantee confidentiality. The student may be referred to a drugs or counselling agency.
Furthermore, where a student is found or suspected to be involved with any drug related activity, this data will be treated as sensitive personal data, as under the Data Protection Act 1998. Disclosure of such information to any third party will only occur with the express consent of the student, or where it is deemed to be reasonable, necessary and in the vital interest of the student for the information to be disclosed to a third party, such as parents or guardians, medical services, the police or other members of staff as appropriate.
Drug Testing
Students may be required to complete mandatory drug tests in accordance with the ACS Drug Testing Procedure.
Reasonable attempts may be made to contact parents or guardians prior to the drugs test if appropriate in the circumstances.
A student’s failure to consent to a drugs test will entitle ACS Schools to draw inferences from their response and may result in ACS Schools taking further disciplinary action and in appropriate circumstances may lead to expulsion.
Suspicion / Hearsay
If a member of staff discovers a young person’s drug use through hearsay it is important they do not ignore the information, even if it turns out to be untrue. The information should be passed onto the Divisional Principal.
Any hearsay / rumours about a student’s drug use will be evaluated carefully and sensitively investigated before any action is taken. This investigation will include interviewing the student(s) involved and contacting their parents / guardians to inform them of the allegation and subsequent investigation.
If rumours are found to be untrue then steps will be taken to challenge the rumour and its effects by, for example:
a) changing the behaviour that might have led to the rumour
b) addressing those responsible for passing on ill-formed rumour
c) addressing the environment in which such rumours breed
If rumours are found to be true, then appropriate action will be taken (see Section 3.2 ‘Discovery/Observation’).
The School’s policy is both educational and disciplinary. Both approaches are in their different ways manifestations of the School’s wish to care for students and to reassure parents and the community. In formulating this policy the School has taken into account the implications of disciplinary action, the individual circumstances of the student involved as well as the impact upon other students and the community generally.
The Schools policy is in line with, and links to our Child Protection Policy and general policy on discipline. The policy was developed after taking into account the ‘Department for Education and ACPO drug advice for schools’ 2012.
Substances covered by this Policy (“prohibited substances”)
This policy incorporates alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, volatile substances, certain permanent ink markers, all forms of medicines, pain killers whether prescribed or bought over the counter, and all other legal and illegal drugs. It also applies to glue, aerosol sprays, and other substances where they are used as intoxicants.
Involvement in the abuse of any such substances constitutes "involvement in drug related activity". Any prescribed medicines to be taken in school need to be left with and taken at the Medical Centre, except for inhalers and epipens which should be carried by the student. Other prescribed medicines, may only be carried by the pupils, with express permission from the Medical Centre and the knowledge of their Housemaster/Housemistress (Boarders) or Divisional Principal.
Drugs Education at ACS Schools
As a school, we take seriously our role in educating all young people in our care about drugs and other harmful substances, their uses and abuses, and how to handle situations in which pupils may be offered legal or illegal highs.
We will also try to help pupils, parents and staff to be more knowledgeable about, and better prepared to deal with, any drug related issues or concerns. Drugs Education is taught in MS and HS by staff, School Nurses and outside agencies.
The School emphasises that such drugs education adds to the input which parents are expected to make as part of the upbringing of their own children.
Definition of School jurisdiction:
This policy applies on School premises and/or when it involves any member of the School community during School hours, whilst pupils are in residence in boarding houses (whether in or out of School and including holiday time spent under School guardianship), on visits and trips, at School events and other occasions related to the School and on any occasions when the pupils are the responsibility of the staff.
This policy also applies when students are off site because of study leave or other arrangements are in place, where the student is the responsibility of the school.
When pupils are traveling to and from school they are considered to be representing the school and therefore the school rules apply. This includes senior HS students, who remain subject to school jurisdiction even if off site, for example during activity time or when allowed off site when not being taught.
The remit of this policy includes out of hours social functions which take place off site and out of staff supervision, but which are published by the organisers as school events and are attended by ACS School students.
Substance Misuse
Pupils are absolutely forbidden to engage in any drug related activity whilst under the jurisdiction of the School. They are forbidden to share, or attempt to share, ingest or otherwise use any substance which, when used by the student with the intention to bring about a state of intoxication, causes the behavior of the student to be a threat to the health and safety of the student concerned or any other member of the School; or otherwise disrupt the orderly operation of any part of the educational process for which the School is responsible.
Pupils must not engage in any drug related activity whilst under the jurisdiction of the School. This will include involvement in the purchase, possession, supply, intent to supply, being concerned in supply or consumption of the substances covered by this policy.
A pupil who is found under the School jurisdiction in possession of a drug, or any illegal substance, for abusive purposes is in breach of the School rule banning possession, even if the pupil was not planning to consume the drug while under School jurisdiction.
A period of fixed-term exclusion from the School, pending further investigation, would normally be recommended for involvement in purchase, possession or consumption of illegal drugs or substance of abuse while under School jurisdiction.
Permanent exclusion would be sanctioned for purchase, possession or consumption of any Class A substance. (A Class A substance is one which is categorized as such by Law. For example: cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, LSD). Other activities warranting permanent exclusion include:
· Repeat offending.
· Involvement of other pupils (Dealing and Distribution).
Involvement in the supply of drugs can take many forms. Any of the following, for example, would be seen as involvement in the supply of drugs and therefore a most serious offence:
a) Sharing a drug with others.
b) Helping or facilitating another pupil to gain access to drugs or come into contact with someone willing to deal drugs.
c) Making arrangements for another pupil to buy drugs, even if the transaction itself were to take place outside the School and outside School hours.
d) Making drugs or any illegal substance accessible to other pupils.
Please note the above list is not exhaustive.
The individual case of involvement in the supply of drugs will be assessed independently. Intent to supply or attempt to supply will be treated as a serious offence, even if no supply actually takes place. A pupil does not have to make a monetary or any other gain from passing on a drug to be guilty of involvement in supply. A pupil does not have to be introducing or encouraging others who have no previous drug involvement to be guilty of supply. A pupil who supplies a drug to another as a drug of abuse commits a serious offence even if he/she is passing over a substance which is not an illegal drug and is not harmful.
For a pupil to lead another to unwittingly consume a drug of abuse is a serious offence. Pupils who place themselves in such a way as to give support and encouragement to drug related activity (e.g. by joining pupils who are truant from class to take a drug of abuse) should expect to face serious sanction for offering that support or encouragement, even if they bought no drug and consumed no drug themselves.
Abuse of drugs which can be bought commercially or obtained under prescription is strictly forbidden and a serious offence, again meriting exclusion.
ACS Schools are not able to cater for every eventuality in this policy. The above examples demonstrate the type of conduct which would be in breach of the School rules and in some cases the criminal law as well.
All such involvements would be likely to lead to a period of exclusion from School, up to and including permanent exclusion.
The School will use definitions of terms such as "possession" and "supply" which are consistent with the current criminal law. In consideration of any allegation that a student is involved in drug related activity, ACS school will apply the civil standard of proof, the balance of probabilities.
Any involvement in supply of drugs is an aggravating factor which will make permanent exclusion more likely than a fixed term exclusion.
ACS Policy rationale
ACS reserves the right to expel any student caught with any kind of prohibited substance. At the same time, however, we recognise that learning to make decisions is a necessary part of growth, and that students occasionally make bad decisions. The school will consider each drug-related incident individually and recognises that a variety of responses will be necessary to deal with the student(s) involved. When dealing with an individual case, it may be necessary to carry out more than one of the responses shown in Section 3.1.
While we are willing to work with students who have been involved in drug-related incidents, the structure necessary to support students with serious drug abuse problems is not available at ACS. ACS has a responsibility to provide the best care and educational environment for all of its students and must consider the needs of the rest of the student body when making decisions about responses to drug related cases.
Substance abuse education
Drug use and misuse have become increasingly common in our society. Children and young people of school age are part of society and as such the school recognises the need to:
· Prepare and equip students for life in society, by informing them of the potential dangers of drug use.
· Provide students with information to make informed decisions.
Consideration is given to the Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education Curriculum guidance for schools at key stages 1-4 (QCA 2003) when offering Health programmes at ACS Schools.
Aim and Objectives:
Aim The overall aim of drug education at ACS is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to be in a position to make informed, healthy choices and decisions and to prevent or reduce the harmful consequences of drug misuse.
Objectives
· To provide accurate information about drugs and the laws relating to them
· To increase understanding about the implications and possible consequences of use and misuse of drugs
· To provide opportunities to examine attitudes to drug use
· To promote the development of personal and social skills relating to healthy behaviour and opportunity to practise them
· To enable young people to identify sources of appropriate personal support
Various resources and methodologies are used in drug and alcohol education and include for example, visiting speakers, TV programmes, role plays, debates and discussions as well as staff training and support.
Medication
All student medication should be stored in either the nurse’s office, divisional offices or under special circumstances in the homeroom teacher’s office. The medicine distribution requires adult supervision. Any staff members responsible for distributing medicine have received basic training from the school nurse regarding medicine distribution safety. Parental permission is required before any medicine may be given to a student.
School trips and excursions
If a student is caught in possession of a legal substance (tobacco or alcohol) on a school trip, sports trip or school excursion, the drug will be confiscated and the incident recorded. The trip supervisor will contact the parents and divisional principal. The student will be dealt with on an individual basis and according to the policy (see Section 3.1 ‘Range of Responses’).
If a student is caught in possession of an illegal substance on a school trip or excursion, the drug will be confiscated (with adult witness) and the incident recorded. The trip supervisor will contact the parents and the divisional principal. The student will be sent home (at expense of parent). The student will be dealt with on an individual basis and according to the policy (see Section 3.1 ‘Range of Responses’).
Possible range of responses to incidents
Following a drug related incident one or more of the responses below will be discussed with the student and his/her family. The chosen response will reflect the school’s desire to ensure the best care and support for the student(s) involved and the rest of the student body.
The range of responses:
1. The use of in-school counselling services.
2. Referral to school approved outside agencies for counselling and medical treatment.
3. The police may be informed where deemed necessary.
4. Behavioural contracts which clearly state the terms on which a student can remain in the school and the support structures put in place. This may include mandatory drug testing.
5. The student could be suspended from school for a fixed period of time (or pending further investigation).
6. The student could be required to leave the school.
The management of any drug related incident is co-ordinated through a committee that could include: Deputy-Head of School, Divisional Principal, Divisional School Counsellor, Child Protection Officer (if necessary) and Head of Dormitory (if necessary) and Head of Admissions (if necessary) or their designees.
Immediate response to a substance abuse related incident
Incidents involving drugs (both legal and illegal) may take the form of emergencies, intoxication, discovery/observation, disclosure and suspicion/hearsay.
Emergency situations
If a student is deemed to be in danger as a result of drug misuse (e.g. collapsed, unconscious), the following course of action will be taken:
· Notify divisional office by the fastest possible means to call an ambulance and briefly outline cause of the emergency
· Summon help immediately from the school nurse (or first aider if nurse is not available)
· Provide emergency aid to student
· Notify Head of School and Divisional Principal
· Notify student’s parent / guardian
· Remove, in presence of an adult witness, any suspicious substances / equipment and retain in case they are required by ambulance staff
· Complete a report and the incident will be dealt with according to policy (see Section 3.1 ‘Range of Responses’)
Intoxication
If student is intoxicated, but does not require immediate medical assistance then the following course of action will be taken:
· Student will be removed to a quiet room and accompanied by a member of staff at all times
· The school nurse will be contacted (or first aider outside school hours)
· Parents / guardians will be informed and called to the school to collect the student and advised to take student to their GP
· Complete a report and the incident will be dealt with according to policy (see Section 3.1 ‘Range of Responses’)
Discovery / observation
If a student is discovered possessing, using or dealing any substances not permitted in school, or is found to have tested positive for any prohibited substance, the following course of action will be taken:
· The student will be escorted by member of staff to a senior member of staff
· Notify the Head of School and Divisional Principal (and Head of Boarding if necessary)
· The senior member of staff will seek to remove any suspicious substances from the student (in presence of adult witness) or to secure the voluntary production of any substances believed to be concealed by the student. Any substance taken possession of will be sealed in a labelled plastic bag, signed by witness with the date and time added.
· The student will be kept away from peers and asked to write down their own account of the incident. The student will be informed of the seriousness of the situation.
· The student will be interviewed by the Divisional Principal, or designee, with another member of staff present. (In the case of Boarders, two Houseparents will interview the student)
· Parents / guardians will be informed and may be asked to attend the school.
· The student may be suspended from school pending further investigation but in such cases a ‘suspension letter’ must be prepared by the Divisional Principal (or Head of Boarding) or designee and sent to the parents after they have been advised of the suspension.
· If the substance is suspected to be illegal the senior member of staff may decide to contact the police for further advice.
· Complete a report and the incident will be dealt with according to policy (see Section 3.1 ‘Range of Responses’)
Disclosure
A student may disclose to a member of staff that (s)he has been using drugs or is concerned about someone else’s drug use out of school hours. In cases such as this, concern for the student is paramount. Information about a student in relation to drugs will be dealt with in the same way as other sensitive information. However, where a student discloses information which may suggest that (s)he is at risk, the student must be aware that the member of staff cannot guarantee confidentiality. The student may be referred to a drugs or counselling agency.
Furthermore, where a student is found or suspected to be involved with any drug related activity, this data will be treated as sensitive personal data, as under the Data Protection Act 1998. Disclosure of such information to any third party will only occur with the express consent of the student, or where it is deemed to be reasonable, necessary and in the vital interest of the student for the information to be disclosed to a third party, such as parents or guardians, medical services, the police or other members of staff as appropriate.
Drug Testing
Students may be required to complete mandatory drug tests in accordance with the ACS Drug Testing Procedure.
Reasonable attempts may be made to contact parents or guardians prior to the drugs test if appropriate in the circumstances.
A student’s failure to consent to a drugs test will entitle ACS Schools to draw inferences from their response and may result in ACS Schools taking further disciplinary action and in appropriate circumstances may lead to expulsion.
Suspicion / Hearsay
If a member of staff discovers a young person’s drug use through hearsay it is important they do not ignore the information, even if it turns out to be untrue. The information should be passed onto the Divisional Principal.
Any hearsay / rumours about a student’s drug use will be evaluated carefully and sensitively investigated before any action is taken. This investigation will include interviewing the student(s) involved and contacting their parents / guardians to inform them of the allegation and subsequent investigation.
If rumours are found to be untrue then steps will be taken to challenge the rumour and its effects by, for example:
a) changing the behaviour that might have led to the rumour
b) addressing those responsible for passing on ill-formed rumour
c) addressing the environment in which such rumours breed
If rumours are found to be true, then appropriate action will be taken (see Section 3.2 ‘Discovery/Observation’).
