School Policies

Drugs and Substance Abuse Policy

Definition: Drug or substance is taken to mean anything which alters the mind or body, including alcohol.

Statement of Policy

Statement of Policy on Substance Use and Misuse

  • The school condones neither the misuse of drugs and alcohol by members of the school, nor the illegal supply of these substances.
  • The school is committed to the health and safety of its members and will take action to safeguard their well-being.
  • The school acknowledges the importance of its pastoral role in the welfare of young people, and through the general ethos of the school, will seek to persuade pupils in need of support to come forward.
  • In response to our shared concerns at a local and national level, we wish to state that as part of its care for the welfare of its pupils, the school believes it has a duty to inform and educate young people on the consequences of drug use and misuse.  The school takes a pro-active stance on this matter, believing that health education is a vital part of the Personal and Social education of every pupil.
  • Fundamental to our school’s values and practice is the principle of sharing the responsibility for education of young people with parents, by keeping them informed and involved at all times.  Effective communication and co-operation is essential to the successful implementation of this policy.
  • Whilst we acknowledge that the numbers of young people who use and misuse substances is rising, it is seen as important to recognise that the larger numbers of young people are choosing not to use or misuse substances.  We will continue to support their differing needs.

Who has Written the Policy?

This policy is based on “Illegal Substance Policy Statement” written by the Headteacher and Governors of Ribblesdale School and on the Draft Policy on Substance Use and Misuse (Annex 5) of Circular 4/95 “Drug Prevention and Schools”. It is a result of the LEA initiative of 1995 which derived from the Government White Paper “Tackling Drugs Together” (HMSO 1995). Consultation between the Headteacher, staff of Ribblesdale school, governors and parents in a working party and at governors’ meetings, staff meetings and after communication with parents has led to this policy.

Policy Aims

We believe and support the following educational aims in respect of substance use and misuse:

  • to enable pupils to make healthy, informed choices by increasing knowledge, challenging attitudes and developing and practising skills.
  • to provide accurate information about substances.
  • to increase understanding about the implications and possible consequences of use and misuse.
  • to encourage an understanding for those experiencing or likely to experience substance use.
  • to widen understanding about related health and social issues, e.g. sex and sexuality, crime, HIV and AIDS.
  • to seek to minimise the risks that users and potential users face.
  • to enable young people to identify sources of appropriate personal support.

How Will These Aims be Fulfilled?

These aims are fulfilled through aspects of the pupils’ experiences in the taught curriculum, the informal curriculum and through opportunities for extra-curricular activities. We deliver in the taught curriculum mainly through PSE and Science areas, but other opportunities to reinforce learning will occur in other parts of the teaching programme. The school actively co-operates with other agencies such as Community Police, Social Services, LEA and Health and Drug Agencies to deliver its commitment to Drugs Education and to deal with incidents of substance use and misuse. Visitors who support the school will be informed of the values held within this policy.