Modeligo National School Substance Use Policy
Scope of Policy
This policy applies to students, teachers and all staff members, users of the school premises, visitors — i.e. every person who enters the building. It is applicable during school time, including breaks, and to ALL school related activities. It applies to the school building and grounds and to any area where a school related activity takes place, e.g. School Tour.
Aims of Policy
The aim of the substance use policy of Modeligo National School is primary prevention. We aim to protect our pupils from the harmful effects of substance misuse and try to prevent them from using tobacco, alcohol, solvents and illegal drugs. We aim to develop in our pupils better self-esteem, through providing a positive school climate and atmosphere and through giving our pupils age-appropriate information from educational programmes.
Relationship to School's Mission, Vision and Aims
The characteristic spirit of this school has been developed and agreed with our partners in education. This substance use policy reflects the school policy by:
- Drawing together teachers, parents and Board of Management members in formulating this policy.
- Including reference to substance use in our Code of Discipline and School Rules.
Rationale
Why is this policy necessary?
The world in which we live presents young people with many challenges, which affect their health and well-being. Exposure to alcohol, tobacco and drugs is part of this reality. Schools need to reflect upon how they might provide for the needs of their student cohort and respond appropriately to what are sometimes sensitive and emotive issues.
The Education Act 1998 provides that schools should promote the social and personal development of students and provide health education for them. The National Drugs Strategy Building on Experience is now government policy and it requires schools to have a substance use policy in place. The report from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs entitled Drug Use Prevention (Nov 2001) underlined the importance of schools developing substance use policies.
The school authority in Modeligo National School has a moral and legal obligation to ensure compliance with the criminal law.
Policy Content
Prevention and Management of School Drug Related Issues
A drug is any chemical which alters how the body functions — physically how we behave, mentally how we think and emotionally how we feel. Drugs include over-the-counter substances including drinks with a high concentration of caffeine, prescription drugs, solvents, tobacco, alcohol and illegal substances.
Over-the-counter substances e.g. paracetamol, strepsils, cough medicine etc. are not permitted to be in any child's possession in our school.
All cleaning agents will be stored safely and securely and as few solvents as possible used. Drinks with a high concentration of caffeine are not permitted.
Children will not be allowed to have/use aerosol sprays e.g. spray deodorants or hair gel etc. for activities such as swimming. Tippex is not permitted in class. Glue/paints used in school will be non-toxic/solvent free.
Prescription drugs cannot be administered in school but in exceptional circumstances, a child may use their own medicine e.g. inhaler, provided that the school has written consent from the parents/guardians who take full responsibility for their child taking their medication independently.
Management of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Related Incidents
The BoM members believe that young people are most at risk in relation to substance use in Modeligo National School in recreational areas, on the way to and from school and at out-of-school related activities supervised by staff members.
Incidents relating to alcohol, tobacco and drug use are addressed in the school's Code of Behaviour and the Enrolment Policy, and pupils may be suspended or expelled if involved in any drug related incident.
The school's shared understanding of a 'drug related incident' is:
- Any unusual or unbecoming behaviour resulting from intake or use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs
- The sale or passing on of any illegal substance
- The possession of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs on school grounds or at school related activities
- Disposal of drugs or related items (e.g. syringes) found on school property
Reporting Procedure for Drug Related Incidents
Step 1: Witness to drug related incident informs teacher/staff member/Principal.
Step 2: Principal informs parents/guardians.
Step 3: Principal informs Chairperson of Board of Management.
Step 4: Gardaí informed depending on seriousness of incident.
Step 5: Area Health Board informed for disposal of items.
Parents will be involved by accepting the school's Code of Behaviour and Enrolment Policies. They will be informed of an incident involving their own child and will be asked to accept responsibility, co-operate with the school authorities and with the Gardaí if necessary.
Parents will be involved in incidents involving another child only if deemed necessary by the school authorities; if parents are aware that another child is involved in drug-related incidents under the scope of this policy they should inform the teacher, Principal or a Board member.
Role of the Board of Management
The role of the Board of Management is to:
- Ratify this policy
- Implement this policy
- Monitor and evaluate it
- Sponsor/provide training for staff members
- Make decisions involving critical incidents
- Deal with the media in the event of a critical incident
Medical Intervention Procedures
This policy puts the following procedures in place to deal with an incident requiring medical intervention:
- 'Universal Precautions' will be applied; e.g. wearing of proper protective gloves etc., washing and making safe an area after an incident; provision of a yellow bin to dispose of needles or other unsuitable appliances
- Regular First Aid training will be given to staff members to ensure up-to-date use of procedures in medical emergencies
- Copies of all relevant phone numbers are appendixed (see Appendix 1)
The school has established an excellent rapport with the local Garda station and will invite representatives from the local Garda station to speak with senior pupils. Whether or not to inform the Gardaí of minor incidents will be at the discretion of the Principal and the Chairperson of the Board of Management, but they will be involved in any serious substance abuse incidents.
At local level the following support agencies are available to which students involved in substance misuse might be referred:
- N.A. (Narcotics Anonymous)
- Child Care & Family Support Services
- Drug Education Officer
- Drug Helpline: 1800 341 900
- Juvenile Liaison Officer
- Community Garda
In the event of media interest in relation to a 'drug related incident', the matter will be referred to the Board of Management and the Chairperson will issue a prepared statement to the media.
Management of Persons in the Workplace Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Alcohol
The Board of Management shall ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that pupils and other persons in the workplace are not exposed to risks to their safety, health or welfare from persons under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. The term "in the workplace" includes all school related activities taking place under the supervision of a teacher, with the Board's approval, and both within and away from the school premises.
Every school employee shall, while at work, ensure that he or she is not under the influence of an intoxicant as required by Section 13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
Should the Principal have reasonable grounds to believe that a staff member is unfit for work, due to being under the influence of an intoxicant, the Principal shall ask that person to remove him/herself from the workplace, in the interests of the safety, health and welfare of the employee and others.
Should the Principal have reasonable grounds to believe that an employee of any contractor is unfit for work, due to being under the influence of an intoxicant, the Principal shall ask the contractor to remove his/her employee from the workplace.
If a member of staff has reasonable grounds to believe any person, other than a staff member or employee of a contractor, is unfit to be on the premises due to being under the influence of an intoxicant, the staff member shall report his/her belief promptly to the Principal, who shall ask that person to remove him/herself from the workplace.
If a member of staff has reasonable grounds to believe that a parent or adult collecting a pupil is unfit to be on the premises or to take care of the said pupil, the Principal will be informed and the duty of care will apply to the pupil. All necessary steps will be taken to protect the pupil and safeguard their best interests.
In the event that a person refuses a reasonable request to remove him/herself from the premises, the Principal may call the Gardaí to forcibly remove the person in question.
The Board of Management acknowledges its responsibility in promoting the welfare at work of teachers. An Employee Assistance Service (telephone: 1800 411 057 or email: eas@vhics.ie) is available to teaching staff. In the event that substance abuse appears to be adversely affecting the performance and/or attendance pattern of any member of the teaching staff, the Board of Management may request such staff member to contact the Employee Assistance Service.
All incidents relating to the presence of persons at school under the influence of an intoxicant shall be recorded and reported as soon as possible to the Board of Management. The Board of Management shall consider all such reports and decide on the appropriate action to be taken.
Monitoring and Review
A record will be kept in school of all substance use incidents. A copy of this policy will be issued to all staff. The Board of Management will review this policy periodically.
Timeframe
This policy in its final draft was ratified by the Board of Management on 17 February 2021. It was circulated to staff members and parents shortly afterwards.
Ratified by BoM: 17 February 2021 Chairperson BoM: Sr Veronica Casey
Appendix 1: Important Contact Numbers
| Service | Phone | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Drugs Advisory and Treatment Centre | 01 677 1122 | Trinity Court, 30/31 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 |
| South Western Area Health Board | 01 620 6400 | Bridge House, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 |
| East Coast Area Health Board | 01 280 3335 | Centenary House, Dun Laoghaire |
| Northern Area Health Board | 01 882 0300 | Phisboro Tower, Dublin 7 |
| Alcohol Services (East Coast Area Health Board) | 01 660 7838 |