As part of the statutory duty on schools to promote pupils’ wellbeing, schools have a clear role to play in preventing drug misuse as part of their pastoral responsibilities. Further details on this duty are provided on the legislation website, a link is available on this page.
To support this, the Drug Strategy 2010 - also available on this page - ensures school staff have the information, advice and power to:
- provide accurate information on drugs and alcohol through education and targeted information - via the FRANK service;
- tackle problem behaviour in schools - with wider powers of search and confiscation;
- work with local voluntary organisations, the police and others to prevent drug or alcohol misuse.
A link to FRANK website is available on this page.
What schools can do
1) Schools can develop a drugs policy which sets out their role in relation to all drug matters – this includes:
- the content and organisation of drug education; and
- the management of drugs and medicines within school boundaries and on school trips.
It should be consistent with the school's safeguarding policy. A drug policy framework which can be used can be found at Annex A.
2) Have a designated, senior member of staff with responsibility for the drug policy and all drug issues within the school.
3) Develop drug policies in consultation with the whole school community including;
- pupils
- parents/carers
- staff
- governors
- partner agencies.
4) To ensure support is available to pupils affected by drug misuse - including parental drug or alcohol problems - establish relationships with, for example;
- local children
- young people’s services
- health services
- voluntary sector organisations
Links to supportive national organisations can be on the last page of this article.
