St Patrick's College Cavan

Substance Use Policy 

This policy applies to pupils and all staff – including teachers, clerical and ancillary- and to all those persons using the premises during the operation of the school including breaks and all involved and participating in school promoted and school related activities including school trips.

Relationship to Mission Statement

This school aspires to create the best environment in which to teach, learn and work. It promotes the growth and development of the whole person. The school has structures, which support the needs and welfare of pupils and staff.

Rationale

This policy has been formulated to protect all the pupils and staff in this school.  Issues outside the school encroach on the school community - one of these is the use of substances. The management recognises that the issue of substance use is very serious with the potential to affect pupils and staff. The school in arriving at a policy to deal with the possession of, distribution of, and use of substances is conscious that each situation is unique and thus, a flexible response is required. By substances the school means legal drugs, (analgesics e.g. Panadol / Asprin etc.,) illegal drugs and misuse of prescribed drugs, solvents etc. The Substance Use Policy is one among many that serve to endorse the school’s ethos.
St Patrick College asserts its right to protect and promote its ethos by requiring certain standards of behaviour and prohibiting certain practices.
The school policy aims to co-operate fully with the strategic plan adopted by the government under the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 and made mandatory for schools in circular 18/02.

The Education Act (1998) provides that schools promote the social and personal education of students and provide health education for them.

School Policy

The school does not accept or tolerate the possession, use, or supply of banned or prohibited substances and/or drug paraphernalia by any student in the school, on school trips and outings, or during any school-related activity.

Prescribed Medication

Parents of students taking prescribed medication should inform the school in writing of that fact.  Teachers are not obliged to personally undertake the administration of medicines. It is recognised that children with long-term recurring health problems, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy etc. be accommodated within the school.  However, proper procedures for the administration of medicines must be made.  Parents should be encouraged to provide maximum support and assistance in helping the school accommodate the student.  This would include such measures such as self-administration (where necessary and only after approval from a G.P.) or under parental supervision.  In the case where a student is suffering from a life-threatening illness as set out above, parents should consult with the Principal or Deputy Principal and should also outline clearly in writing, what can and cannot be done in a particular emergency situation with particular reference to what may be at risk to the student.  In the case of medical emergencies, where teachers have been given medication to administer, only the smallest dose possible should be administered to ensure recovery, until a medical expert can take over.  Confirmation of this should be obtained from the G.P. responsible for the child, before the school would agree to agree to build such life saving medication in its care. 
No member of staff has the authority to administer any medication to a student, should that student feel unwell while at school e.g. complaining of a headache or toothache.

Education about the use of drugs and the consequences of the misuse of substances will be provided as part of a broad, developmental S.P.H.E. programme.
This programme of education will be age-appropriate provided through specific modules as part of existing school subjects SPHE, RE, PE, and CSPE.

Role of Parents
Parents are expected to: -

1. Acknowledge the importance of these programmes.
2. Recognise that they are in partnership with the school in relation to informing and educating their children regarding substance abuse.
3. Assist and co-operate fully with the school as it seeks to deal justly and effectively with any incidents that may arise.

In the event of an abuse incident, the school will seek to strike a balance between the welfare of the student or students involved and the welfare of the school community. 

Concern re: students and illegal substance use outside school
When the school authorities are made aware that a real concern exists where a student may be involved in illegal substance use outside school, the following procedure is followed:

• The parents of the student will be informed either in writing or by phone by the Principal about the concern.
• It will be pointed out that the College is not accusing the student of using illegal substances, but has a concern that this might be the case.
• The parents will be invited in to the school to meet and discuss the concern with the Principal if they so wish.
• In addition the Principal will give the phone number and a contact name for the Drug Awareness Unit situated in Bailieborough or Cavan.  This unit offers testing for illegal substances and follow up counselling.

The procedure outlining the steps that the school will take in managing and investigating an abuse incident is: -

1. Where it is apparent that there is immediate danger to students or the school community, the school reserves the right to suspend or remove temporarily from the school any student involved in a suspected abuse incident pending a further and complete investigation of the incident.

2. The completion of an Abuse Incident Report Form.

3. The school will take all the steps required to fully investigate and assess any abuse incident and will take whatever time it deems necessary to do this.

4. The school will take possession of any banned or prohibited substances and drug paraphernalia associated with an abuse incident, carefully recording all such items and retaining them pending completion of the investigation, unless otherwise instructed by appropriate outside agencies

5. In the event of an incident, the school will seek statements from all persons involved in, concerned with, or having knowledge of the incident and will record these statements.  

6.  The school will maintain a written record of all stages of the investigation of an incident, including records referred to in the above steps, communications with other people or agencies involved or concerned with the matters under investigation, the investigation outcome, decisions taken and the rationale for these decisions, any penalties or disciplinary measures imposed following an investigation, and the management and outcome of any appeal that may arise following an investigation.

7.  The school, at its own discretion, will liaise with any appropriate outside  authority and seek advice or assistance, as it deems appropriate in relation to its investigation of an incident.

8. If circumstances merit and an investigation is continuing, the school will put the full particulars of the incident to the students concerned and their parents in the following manner:

(a). Copies of all records deemed relevant to the position of the student concerned and to the nature of the complaints or allegations that a student is facing will be made available to the student and his parents—at the discretion of the school—in time to permit the student a reasonable opportunity to make his own reply to the matters at issue and any representations that s/he would wish to make or have made on his/her behalf.

(b). The school will allow the student concerned and his parent’s reasonable time to respond to the matters at issue. The school will take into account any response so made and any other relevant extraneous considerations or mitigating circumstances that may be appropriate to the specific case.

(c). The school shall shortly thereafter inform the student and his parents of the school’s findings and their reasons for these. If the school finds that the student has been guilty of or involved in/or implicated in an incident, it shall indicate the penalty or sanctions that it intends to impose in the circumstances.

9. In relation to a verified and investigated incident, the School and / or the Board of Management may implement disciplinary actions or sanctions, including but not limited to: an oral warning, a written warning, a suspension of three days duration, a suspension of more than three days duration, other sanctions short of expulsion, and expulsion.

10. The school can, at its sole discretion, postpone the issue of sanctions to take account of mitigating circumstances or representations that it considers should be taken into account.

11. The school should also ensure that pastoral supports are offered to the student / students and parents affected by an incident of substance abuse. These incidents can be sometimes traumatic for those involved and the services of a tutor, counsellor, chaplain etc. will be made available as appropriate.


The Involvement and Roles of Various Parties in an Incident Investigation.

The Principal or his/her delegate or nominated staff member is the person responsible for all matters in this area.

In the case of a suspected abuse incident the school will immediately inform parents/guardians. This will be done without prejudice to the school’s separate and independent obligation to investigate and manage any abuse incident.

While confidentiality will be maintained as far as is practicable the duty of teachers and staff to the school community, the Gardaí, Health Board, Probation Office or Officers of the Courts preclude them from offering total confidentiality to any students involved in a substance abuse incident.

The school will not comment on an individual matter when an investigation is in progress other than to outline its policy and procedures for managing incidents. However, in the interests of the reputation of the school the management may clarify the school’s position regarding an incident after the investigation has been completely concluded.

Duty of Staff

A. The board of management requires all staff to report immediately, via the incident report form, any incidents where pupils/employees/visitors

• Encounter the use/suspected use of alcohol/drugs on the school premises or during a school related activity (e.g. outing or tour).
• Exhibit symptoms/behaviour that may suggest the use of drugs/alcohol.
• Are involved in the distribution, purchase or use of drugs/alcohol.
• Discover suspect substances/ paraphernalia in the school.
• The school personnel will seek to establish the facts and to be clear about the nature of the incident before deciding on a course of action. There will be no assumption of guilt. Opinions will be stated as opinions, not facts.
• The pupil should not be confronted openly before his/her peers. There should be no assumption of guilt regarding substance misuse, as there are a variety of conditions, which might mimic the suspected misuse of substances. The possession of tablets may be for medicinal use.
• The teacher is entitled to request the surrender of a suspicious substance. This should be done with minimal fuss. The teacher should not seek to search the pupil or his/her possessions. Where there is a refusal to co-operate the pupil should be brought to the Principal/Deputy Principal whose responsibility it is to proceed with the matter.
• The Principal/Deputy Principal will recognise that the health/safety and the well being of the student/ students are paramount and will seek medical aid if deemed necessary. The student will be provided with the appropriate guidance and support they need.

Pastoral Care Team

The relevant support systems of the school will be mobilised: Chaplain, guidance counsellors, S.P.H.E.
co-ordinators, year head, class teacher etc.
Where considered necessary, legal advice will be sought. If illegal drugs/ paraphernalia are found on school premises the school will/ may contact the gardaí about its safe disposal. It is the responsibility of the Principal/ Deputy Principals to summon such persons as may be helpful to the issue.
Teachers in their pastoral role may encounter changes in a student’s behaviour and attitude on occasion, or over a period of time. This may be for a variety of reasons and may not necessarily be indicative of substance misuse. The role of the teacher carries a duty of care towards the pupil, which involves a degree of confidentiality. However this does not preclude reporting a genuine suspicion or fear. The quality of the relationship between teacher and pupil is central to noticing a change in behaviour. Teachers should always discuss with colleagues and Year Head any significant altered behaviour or performance of a pupil.
The Principal may decide in particular circumstances to opt for a counselling solution or he may involve the Board of Management in suspension (short term, long term). Return to school may depend on participation in an appropriate counselling/ addiction-counselling programme. Parental involvement and guarantees may also be required.



Issue of Confidentiality

The Principal is responsible for the secure and confidential storage of any written documentation and records associated with an incident.
The school recognises the importance in limiting, as far as practicable, the number of people involved in investigating and managing an abuse incident and that it is the aim of the school only to involve those properly concerned with an incident.  However, it should ensure that students and their parents accept that:

• The duty of teachers and staff to the school community precludes them from offering total confidentiality to any students when they come in contact with an abuse incident or suspected abuse incident.
• The school may be required in a given situation to contact, as appropriate, such authorities as the Medical Services, Gardaí, Health Board, Probation Service or Officers of the Court.
• The school may need to engage the expert assistance of an appropriate third party to properly investigate an incident.
• The school may be duty bound to notify certain persons about an incident and/ or the outcome of an incident investigation under statute, regulations or DES guidelines.
  
  

Media Enquiries

The school will not comment on any individual matter when an investigation is in progress other than to outline its policy and procedures for managing incidents.  However, in the interests of the reputation of the school the management may clarify the school’s position regarding an incident after the investigation has been completely concluded.

Training and Development

In relation to staff, the school
• will deliver training in delivering education programmes relating to alcohol, tobacco, and drugs and
• specific training on the role of staff in relation to the management and investigation of an abuse incident.

In relation to Parents and the Board of Management the school
• will provide opportunities to attend information sessions and workshops in relation to drugs and the Policy.
• will provide appropriate information, guidance, and support to the board regarding issues relating to investigation of and adjudication   on incident investigations

In relation to the students the school:
• will offer all students programmes relating to alcohol, tobacco, and drug education within the context of the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes.

Monitoring, Reviewing and Evaluating
The school will monitor, review and evaluate this policy and all related work and procedures on an ongoing basis to ensure legal compliance and the maintenance of best practices.

 

Appendix: Definitions

The School.
The School includes school buildings, grounds; play areas, public areas where student congregate coming to and going from school.

Banned or prohibited substances.
All substances covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act, non-validated prescription medication, all alcohol and tobaccos used contrary to the law of the land. The school reserves the right to determine that a substance found at the school qualifies as a banned or prohibited substance.

Drug Paraphernalia
Any banned or prohibited substance as defined above, any items that may be deemed to be used in the taking of illicit substances, and any written or printed material promoting the use of illicit substances.

Incident.
Any incident relating to banned or prohibited substances that occurs in the school or during school functions or outings, field-trips, tours, etc. or any such incident that may be deemed damaging to the health or welfare of the student concerned, to other students or to the policy or reputation of the school. The school reserves the right to determine whether a specific incident constitutes an abuse incident to be addressed under the terms of the policy.

Parents.
For the purpose of the policy, parents should be defined to include natural parents, foster parents, or guardians of the student concerned as applicable, or any person acting in loco- parentis, either on a temporary or permanent basis, on the date of an abuse incident.

The Principal.
In the policy the reference to the Principal should be taken to mean the principal for the time being appointed by the school and defined in the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 or the deputy principal where the principal is either unavailable or has delegated to the deputy principal.

 

Referral Form for Suspicion of Substance Use

Date                             __________________________________

Referred by                ___________________________________

Student Name            ____________________________________

 

Nature of Incident __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Description of items in the students possession ___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________


Signature of Teacher                                    _________________________________

Date of referral to Principal                        __________________________________

Parents contacted on                                    __________________________________

Referred to Counsellor on                        ___________________________________