Drug, Alchohol and Tobacco Policy

POSITION STATEMENT

The School accepts and acknowledges that a wide variety of addictive or habit-forming substances are readily available throughout society, and that our children are, and will continue to be, regularly exposed to such substances through various channels.

Substance use is dangerous.  In most cases it is also illegal, although not in some of the most potentially harmful substances (e.g. alcohol, tobacco and over-the-counter drugs). The School accepts that young people are particularly vulnerable to substance use and misuse and that this is directly detrimental to learners at all levels and in all ways (physical, mental, psychological, social, developmental, emotional and personal).

The Role of Parents and the School

The School accepts that it has a duty to equip young people with information and knowledge about drugs, alcohol and substance use generally, but insists that parents participate in a strong partnership bond with the school to minimize the potential harm to learners.

Parents have the responsibility of:

• limiting their daughter’s exposure to places where drugs are known to be
  available
• guiding their daughter’s choice of friends and companions to reduce the impact of potentially dangerous peer pressure
• equipping themselves with knowledge of substance use and misuse by reading documentation provided by the relevant authorities and by attending information sessions held by the school and the community
• by their actions and teachings showing that they do not condone the inappropriate use of alcohol and other drugs.

The School has the responsibility to:

• through the Lifeskills programme, present prevention and information
  sessions to all learners
• present prevention and information sessions for all parents
• make information and training available to educators
• provide counselling / referral to appropriate agencies for learners who require this

DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this document, “at school” includes all of the following:

• on the school premises at any time
• participating in a school function in any place at any time
• in school uniform in a public place, whether on school business or not
• in any context in which the learner is clearly associated with the school.

Situations not mentioned above will be regarded as “outside school”.  In situations where a learner uses substances outside of school, but in such a manner as to bring the school into disrepute in any way, the school reserves the right to take action according to the rules of the school and the country.  The over-riding purpose of any action taken will be to ensure the health and safety of the learner.

For the purposes of this document, “drugs” refers to illegal mind-altering substances including, but not limited to cannabis, Tik (methamphetamine) Ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, speed, crack, LSD, Mandrax.  “Alcohol” refers to all alcoholic beverages.  “Tobacco” refers to legal substances which are usually smoked, including cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco.  Abuse of over-the-counter and prescription drugs are also included in this policy.

“Excessive” use of alcohol or “abuse” of alcohol is taken to mean sufficient use to bring the person into a clearly visible (by behaviour, language, etc) state of intoxication.

“Dealing” refers to selling, swapping, exchanging, supplying, trading, distributing, etc.

POLICY

The possession of, use of or dealing in mind-altering or habit forming substances is forbidden at school.  All matters contravening the South African law will be reported to the South African Police Services for appropriate criminal prosecution. The school also reserves the right to take action should the learner’s substance use outside school influence her academic achievements, attendance, behaviour, etc.

Each case will be assessed and considered individually within the framework of the policy and procedures.

Every case will be dealt with confidentially within the school but parents/guardians will be informed and involved.

• In the event of information concerning alleged drug, alcohol or tobacco use by a learner outside the school, provided that the information is from a source which, in the opinion of the school, has some degree of credibility, the school will speak confidentially to the learner, pass on the information and will offer the learner the opportunity of discussing the matter with her parents before the school contacts them.  Thereafter, the school will contact the parents and inform them of the details of the information.  The matter will then be left in the hands of the parents.  Counselling resources of the school will be made available to the family if required.
• In the event of the school obtaining solid evidence of the use of alcohol or tobacco outside school, the parents will be informed of the situation.  The school may choose to speak to the learner first and give her the opportunity to talk to her parents before the school does. The school will offer their counseling resources to the learner and her family.
• If the school obtains solid or convincing evidence of the use of drugs outside school, the learner will be called in for a confidential meeting with the Principal and at least one senior or counselling staff member.  The School will make available its guidance and counselling to the learner and family of
  the learner, including referral to outside agencies which may be in the best position to help.
• Possession and / or use of tobacco or alcohol at school or arriving at school under the influence of alcohol will result in the parents being called for a meeting with the principal and the learner.  The matter will be referred to the School Governing Body disciplinary council who will hear the case according to the rules laid down in the SA Schools’ Act.  Disciplinary meetings can result in a request for suspension and/or a request for expulsion being forwarded to the Head of the Western Cape Education Department.
• Possession and/or use of drugs at school or arriving at school under the influence of drugs will result in the parents being called for a meeting with the principal and at least one senior or counselling staff member.  The South African Police will be called to the school to investigate the matter with the possibility of criminal prosecution.  The matter will be referred to the School Governing Body disciplinary council who will hear the case according to the rules laid down in the SA Schools’ Act.  Disciplinary meetings can result in suspension from school and/or a request for expulsion being forwarded to the Head of the Western Cape Education Department.  The learner will have to participate in counselling, possibly by an outside agency. Parents will be liable for costs of counselling outside the school.
• If a learner is found in possession of drug-related paraphernalia at school the parents will be called to the school for a meeting with the Principal.  The learner may be required to attend a disciplinary meeting (as per SA Schools’ Act) or the case may be handed to the South African Police Services for their investigation and possible legal action.
• If a learner is caught assisting other learners in drug use on the school premises, her parents will be informed. The matter will be referred to the School Governing Body disciplinary council who will hear the case according to the rules laid down in the SA Schools’ Act.  Disciplinary meetings can result in a request for suspension and/or a request for expulsion being forwarded to the Head of the Western Cape Education Department.
• If a learner sells drugs outside the school, and it comes to the attention of the school, the matter will be referred to the SAPS for investigation.  If it is confirmed that the learner has been selling drugs, the learner will be required to appear before the School Governing Body disciplinary council.  Learners will be referred to an appropriate outside agency for counseling (at parents’ expense).
• If the learner deals in drugs at school, the South African Police will be called to the school to investigate and prosecute.  The learner will have to attend a disciplinary meeting with the School Governing Body which might result in expulsion (as per Western Cape Education Department policy)
• Where a staff member in authority reasonably suspects that a learner has a prohibited substance in her possession at school, a search may be carried out by an appointed staff member, in the presence of senior staff member, the learner and a person, chosen by the learner, to support her.  Any search will be carried out under the prevailing legal procedures laid down by the Western Cape Education Department and the South African law.

The policy of the School is that every parent and learner accept that total prohibition in relation to tobacco, alcohol and drug substances is recommended as we believe that this is in the long-term interest of the children of our community.   In the rare case of a learner who is found guilty of any offence being permitted to remain at Wynberg Girls’ High School, the learner, assisted by her parents, will be required to sign a contract governing future behaviour at the school.

SUMMARY

SITUATION - SCHOOL’S RESPONSE

Dealing drugs at school - SAPS and parents called to school. Matter handed to SAPS for investigation and prosecution. Matter referred to SGB for disciplinary action with possibility of expulsion by Head of Western Cape Education Department. Counselling by outside agency required (parents’ expense)

Dealing drugs outside school - SAPS informed for investigation and criminal prosecution. Matter referred to SGB for disciplinary action

Possession of drugs or using drugs at school  - SAPS and parents called to school.  Matter referred to SGB for disciplinary action with possibility of expulsion by Head of Western Cape Education Department. Counselling, possibly by outside agency at parent’s expense, required.

Assisting other learners use drugs on school premises - Parents informed.  Matter referred to SGB for disciplinary action.

Using drugs outside school - The learner, followed by parents, will be informed of the school’s knowledge of the situation. Referral to various counselling services inside and outside (at parents’ expense) the school.  The learner’s performance and behaviour at school will be closely monitored.

Possession of or using alcohol at school - Parents called for meeting with Principal.  Matter referred to SGB disciplinary council.

Arriving at school under the influence of alcohol - Parents called for meeting with Principal.  Matter referred to SGB disciplinary council

Using alcohol outside school while under age - Parents informed.

Possession of or using tobacco in school - Parents informed.  Matter referred to SGB for disciplinary action.

Using tobacco outside school - Parents informed.

Abuse of prescription or over-the – counter drugs inside or outside school Parents informed. Mandatory counselling

Possession of drug-related paraphernalia at school - Parents informed.  Possible referral of case to School Governing Body and/or SAPS.