College

Drug Policy

1 Rationale

The College Drug Policy is part of Sandringham College's student wellbeing strategies. Sandringham College recognises that drug use is a community-wide problem which requires a partnership between the school, our families and other agencies. The College also recognises that students can be affected by their own drug use or by that of others (including parents, relatives, siblings or friends). The Sandringham policy is based on harm minimisation and acknowledges that:

• in order to protect adolescents from drug-related harm (particularly to the developing adolescent brain), health experts strongly advise abstinence from alcohol and other drugs,
• nevertheless, the use and abuse of drugs are facts of life in today's society,
• adults and young people use and abuse drugs for a number of complex reasons.

2 Aim

Sandringham College aims to provide our students with a safe and caring environment in which issues and concerns about drugs can be discussed in a supportive and informed manner by all members of the community. The World Health Organisation defines a drug as "any substance, with the exception of food and water, which, when taken into the body, alters its function physically and/or psychologically."

It is our intention to take an approach towards the use and misuse of drugs that is not only firm, but also understanding, caring and supportive within the limits imposed upon us by legislation. Drug education is a key element of harm minimisation. However, the College will continue to take firm measures against individuals whose behaviour poses a danger to other students.

3 Implementation

This policy applies to all staff and students of Sandringham College. Visitors, contractors and consultants to the College who may provide service are also required to adhere to this policy.

3.1 Harm Minimisation and Education

The College will incorporate drug education into the Year 7-12 curriculum. This will include learning about:

• what drugs are and how they act
• the personal and social implications and effects of drug usage
• healthier alternative behaviours and how to reduce the risks associated with drug use

College pastoral care and personal development programs will be designed to foster:

• pro-active ways of managing oneself,
• networks of support for difficult times, and
• education in making informed decisions about drug use and non-use that are appropriate to each student’s maturity

It involves a range of strategies including abstinence, prevention, early intervention, specialist treatment, control of supply and safer drug usage.

3.2 Medications and Prescription Drugs

Where a student needs to use any medications and prescription drugs during school time or during a school-related activity, the medication(s) should:

1. have been acknowledged by parents/guardians on the College Enrolment Form and therefore be on our electronic records, and/or
2. have been communicated to the relevant Student Manager by parents/guardians if prescribed more recently, and
3. be made known to teachers in charge of school-related activities.

As part of this protocol, prescribed drugs must neither be misused nor supplied to another student.

Caution should always be exercised when taking any medication.

• Medication should only be used by the person for whom it was prescribed.
• Medication should only be taken for the purpose for which it was intended.
• The dosage should be strictly adhered to; over medicating could have serious if not fatal implications – more is not better.

3.3 Smoking

The law does not permit those under 18 years of age to buy tobacco products. In keeping with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development policy of a smoke-free environment, students may neither possess nor use tobacco products whilst at the College or participating in College activities. This ban extends beyond school boundaries to encompass any off campus school-related activities and any vehicle, which is owned by the school (or is being used in association with a school activity – e.g. rental car, bus).

Staff, parents and visitors are also required to abstain from smoking on school premises.

3.4 Alcohol

The misuse of alcohol leads to considerable social dislocation and illness in our community; not least on the roads. Sandringham College supports the decision of those who choose not to consume alcohol.

The law does not permit alcohol to be consumed in licensed premises or public places by those under the age of 18 years unless they are under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or another responsible adult to whom parents have entrusted that young person.

Students may neither possessor consume alcohol whilst at the College or participating in College activities.

Alcohol at College Functions

It is unacceptable for any member of the school community to be under the influence of alcohol while associated with a school activity.

Health experts advise us that adolescents should delay their introduction to alcohol as late as possible to allow the brain to develop normally. College drug education programs will assist students to:

• understand the legal issues with regard to drinking age
• understand the effects of alcohol in both the short and longer terms
• make considered decision about their use of alcohol with particular emphasis moderation and common sense.

3.5 Cannabis and other Illegal Drugs

The only safe use of any drug is "no use". The potential health effects of drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, as well as those of inhalants and illegal drugs, are well documented. An experiment with drugs is an experiment with one's health, safety and mental well-being. There is growing evidence that the use of cannabis (even as an experiment) can produce an acute psychosis in some individuals.

Statistics indicate that a large proportion of our young people will be offered cannabis at some stage during their school years. A number of other substances are potentially dangerous even though they are not technically illegal. These include everyday products such as solvents and some of the newer "designer drugs" which may not be classed as illegal. College drug education programs will assist students to understand the physical and psychological effects of such drugs.

It is unacceptable for any member of the school community to possess, use, or supply non-prescribed drugs whilst at the College or participating in College activities.

3.6 Support Services for Students who Misuse any Substance

In some cases the misuse of drugs can be most effectively managed by counselling.

Student Wellbeing Coordinators (SWC) on each campus are available to discuss any concern that a member of the College community may be misusing drugs. The SWC's will hold such confidences within the limits of the law. (An exception will be made if someone's safety is at serious risk). Some cases may warrant the involvement of agencies and professionals from outside the school.

3.7 Breach and Consequence

The College, within the limits imposed by legislation, will work to:

• protect the well-being, health and safety of all the other members of the school community
• protect the health and emotional well-being of the offender,
• maintain the standards expected by our wider school community,
• protect the reputation of the school, and
• offer an opportunity to redeem the behaviour (at Sandringham College, or elsewhere).

In making an informed decision in relation to these sometimes conflicting considerations, the Principal or delegate must consider the College's legal responsibilities alongside the maturity level, previous behaviour, degree of responsibility, level of involvement and the rehabilitation of each individual.

One important factor in Sandringham College's approach will be an ongoing process of education and rehabilitation.

The consequences for breaches generally follow a hierarchy which match the severity of the offence. These run the spectrum from:

• counselling
• detention
• community service
• suspension
• expulsion

In responding to some breaches, such as the provision of illicit drugs to other people (which potentially endangers their health and welfare), the school may also be required by law to contact the police.

4 Links

Government Schools reference Guide

• Responding to illicit drugs in schools: see section 4.6.6.2
• Smoking in schools: see section 4.6.7
• Alcohol and schools: see section 4.6.8
• Volatile solvent use: see section 4.6.9
• Use of non-prescribed addictive drugs: see section 4.6.10

Sandringham College Student Code of Conduct

Sandringham College College Parents' Alcohol & Drug Resource Book

5 Evaluation

This policy will be reviewed as part of the College three-year review cycle.