Tong Primary School

A key aim of Scottish Executive’s drug strategy, ‘Tackling Drugs in Scotland Action in Partnership’ is to implement an effective drug education programme for all young people. Education authorities throughout Scotland are being encouraged through their personal and social education to include drug education. Drug education should be aimed at providing young people with the skills and knowledge along with the choices that enables them to have the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Tong Primary School recognises that current research indicates that both legal and illegal drug use is rising amongst the younger population of our society. The drug use is complex and many drug use problems may result from a combination of many contributing factors. Drugs are a reality in children’s lives and school share responsibility with parents and the community to educate pupils about the risks and consequences of drug use and misuse. This education should provide young people with the knowledge to make informed choices, challenge attitudes and gain practical skills.

Tong Primary School drugs education programme aims to enable all our pupils to make healthy informed choices by increasing their knowledge, exploring a range of attitudes about drug use and developing and practising their decision making skills. The teaching of drugs education within our school will be based on an understanding that various approaches will be used, at different stages in the young person’s life, in order to meet the needs of our pupils.

Tong Primary School is committed to the health and safety of all who are involved in the school and we will work together with parents and the local community to provide opportunities that allow the pupils to make healthy, informed choices and discourage the misuse of drugs.

Definition – What is a drug?

"Any substance which, when taken, has the effect of altering the way a person behaves, feels, sees or thinks". (Cogan’s & Watson 1998)

As well as everyday substances such as tea and coffee, drugs include:

Medicines that can be purchased "over the counter" for example Calpol, paracetamol.

Prescribed medication such as antibiotics, asthma inhalers, tranquillisers.

Alcohol and tobacco.

Solvents and volatile substances that are in most households, for example glues, cleaning agents, aerosols.

Illegal drugs such as cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy, Cocaine, Amphetamine sulphate, etc.

Tong Primary School does not condone the use of supply of illegal drugs. We therefore

Are committed to health and safety and to ensure people’s well being.

Provide and offer support to the pupils who need it.

Educate the pupils about drug awareness and the consequences of drug misuse.

Provide our staff with adequate training and support in order that they can deliver a more effective drugs education and respond to situations with consistency and sensitivity.

Share our responsibilities about drug education with parents, carers and other relevant organisations.

Deliver the schools drug education programme.

Be supportive and aware of their pupils’ needs.

Attempt to create an environment where the pupils can participate in discussions where they feel their comments are valued.

Be observant to the possibility of drug misuse by pupils in terms of physical or behavioural changes.

The Head Teacher will have overall responsibility for the drug programmes and drug related issues within the school. This includes the planning of curricular provision in compliance with the statutory requirements.

The Head Teacher will have the overall responsibility for this policy and its implementation, for liaison with parents, local authority and appropriate outside agencies.

The school follows the advice and procedure of the "Guidelines for the Management of Incidents of Drug Misuse" (Scottish Executive 2000). This document advises on the preparation, recording of incidents, staff development and the involvement of parent and pupil involvement. The document also gives advice on key steps for managing an incident involving drug abuse, and the action required following such an incident.

The policy will be reviewed, monitored and evaluated annually.

November 2004