Banned substances
A legal drug is one which is sanctioned by law and may be readily available (e.g., caffeine), may be restricted by age (e.g., tobacco, alcohol) or provided by prescription (e.g., dexamphetamine). An illicit drug is one which it is prohibited to produce, sell, possess or use (e.g., cannabis, amphetamines).
Good practice requires all staff to:
- Identify students who may be at risk because of drug use or who show that they may be at risk more broadly by disengaging and disconnecting from their schooling
- Respond appropriately to and support students who raise health related issues with them
- Monitor and support students returning from suspension or other intervention measures arising from drug-related issues.
Mount Lawley Senior High School does not permit students on school premises or at any school event to:
- Smoke and/or chew tobacco products,
- Consume, possess, or be affected by alcohol,
- Possess and/or use pharmaceutical drugs for non-medicinal purpose,
- Possess/and/or use volatile substances or illicit drugs,
- Be in possession of, supply to other students, or use, any form of e-cigarette,
- Consume or supply to other students, alcoholic beverages,
- Be in possession of, supply to other students or inhale solvents and/or volatile substances,
- Possess, or supply to other students, drug-related equipment such as syringes, bongs, pipes, etc,
- Possess, use or supply to other students, prohibited drugs in accordance with the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1981,
- Be in the company of students who are doing the above.
Incident management and intervention support
When student drug use, either legal or illicit, occurs or is suspected to have occurred at school, the school will implement incident management and intervention support. Effective incident management means that potential harm to students can be minimised by consistent and responsible management of drug-related incidents. Working with appropriate procedures for drug-related incidents may increase the likelihood of students involved remaining connected to school through application of a balance of disciplinary and educative consequences. “The consequence of being caught with drugs at school should not cause more harm than the drug itself.”
Effective intervention support may be preventive of later harmful drug use and of escalation of current drug use. To intervene early and effectively may allow an opportunity to identify and work to resolve the possible causes of drug use and to address the consequences. This allows staff and students a chance to work together to promote physical, emotional, and social health and well-being.
First response
In circumstances where school staff have reasonable grounds for belief that a student is under the influence of drugs, the immediate priority will be the health and welfare of the student.
Staff will:
- Advise the parents/caregivers of the situation, request they collect the student and encourage them to seek medical assistance.
- Arrange for care of the student on the school site until such time that a parent or person authorised by the parent can collect the student; and
- Where a parent/caregiver is unwilling or unable to collect the student, the treating staff member will consult with an authorised person and decide whether it is necessary to contact emergency services.
- Where possession or use of illegal drugs (including any items used for the purpose of taking or using any illegal drug) is suspected or where selling and/or supply of drugs is suspected the police will be informed. Where possible, parents/caregivers will be contacted to be present during questioning and searching of students.
- Students on prescribed medication are encouraged to, where possible to take their medication at home.
Consequences
- Implement discipline strategies appropriate to the circumstances e.g., loss of good standing, withdrawal, suspension, random bag searches
- A case meeting with parent/caregivers to discuss appropriate referrals within the school for continuing support.
- Participate in a targeted student welfare intervention program
- Liaise with police where police action has been involved
- Refer to external agencies.