Background
Definition of a substance-related incident
Aberdeen City Council have recently up-dated their
Substance Misuse Policy and it is important this
information is shared with all pupils, parent/carers and
staff to raise awareness and increase knowledge of the
procedures to be followed in the case of any incidents
involving substance misuse in schools.
This leaflet aims to summarise the information in the
A.C.C. Policy and provide information regarding:
1. What is the definition of a substance or
substance misuse?
2. What is the definition of a substance-related
incident?
3. How incidents of substance misuse will be
managed at Hazlehead Academy?
4. What happens following an incident of
substance misuse?
A substance related incident can be defined as
 A pupil being found to be in possession of
substances or substance-related
paraphernalia eg: papers, grinders, pipes,
bongs, tin foil.
 A suspicion during the school day of a pupil
being ‘under the influence’ of a substance.
 A suspicion that a person(s) are dealing in
substances and/or distributing paraphernalia
in or around the school grounds.
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How incidents of substance misuse are managed
at Hazlehead Academy
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Definition of a substance or substance misuse
A substance is defined as any substance ingested,
inhaled or injected into the body that will affect the
central nervous system and may affect behaviour,
mood and consciousness.
This includes
 Alcohol
 Any psycho-active substances controlled by
the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) i.e. substances
traditionally classified as illegal drugs.
 Any psycho-active substance not currently
controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971)
i.e. substances known as legal highs.
 Volatile substances eg: solvents, gases and
other domestic or commercial products.
NB: Tobacco and tobacco related products are not
included in this list but are governed under the laws
regarding tobacco use.
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In all incidents of substance misuse, the first
priority is the health needs of the young
person or people involved. This will be
assessed and dealt with before any formal
investigation is undertaken. If the condition of
the young person gives cause for concern,
immediate medical assistance will be sought.
If the young person’s medical condition is
deemed to be serious, an ambulance will be
called.
If the young person(s) is known or suspected
to be in possession of a suspicious substance,
the young person(s) will be advised of the
policy and informed that their parent/carer
and the Police will be contacted regarding the
incident.
Parent/carers will be informed as soon as
possible regarding any substance misuse
incidents involving any young person(s) at
Hazlehead Academy.
The parent/carer will be requested to come to
the school as soon as it is practicable to do so.
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If parents cannot be contacted or unable to
come to the school, a senior member of staff
will be allocated to support the young
person(s) during the investigation by the
police.
These actions will be taken when there are any
incidents of suspicious substances being
involved, as it is only as a result of a laboratory
examination, that it is possible to ascertain
whether the substance is a controlled
substance or not.
The young person(s) will be asked to hand over
any suspected substances or related items and
these will be delivered to the Police on arrival
at the school.
All items handed over will be logged and
signed by the person in charge and also by the
other staff member acting as a witness to the
incident.
If the young person(s) refuses to hand over the
suspected substances, they will be isolated
until the Police arrive who then have the
powers to search the young person(s).
If the Police require to search a young person,
this will be carried out in the presence of their
parent/carer or appropriate member of staff.
On occasions, it may be necessary for the
Police to take the young person(s) away for
questioning. If the parent/carers are available,
they will go with the young person but if not
available, a member of staff will accompany
the young person(s).
What happens following an incident of substance
misuse?
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In any incidents of substance misuse, senior
managers in the school will carefully consider
any disciplinary sanctions for the young
person(s) and impose these as deemed to be
appropriate.
The school will work closely with parents and
partner agencies to provide the support
necessary for any young person(s) involved in
substance misuse.
Use of tobacco within Hazlehead Academy
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In order to encourage and promote healthy
lifestyles, smoking cigarettes in the grounds or
surrounding area of Hazlehead Academy is
against school rules.
Pupils are breaking school rules if they bring
cigarettes or any smoking materials to school.
Scottish Directors of Public Health advocate
that e-cigarettes , as they stand, should be
treated in the same way as normal cigarettes
and as such these are also banned from use in
or around the school.
Further Information
Support Agencies
HAZLEHEAD
Alcohol Support – Counselling Services
Tel:
01224 595981
Email: counselling@alcoholsupport.co.uk
Drugs Action
Tel:
01224 594700
Email: info@drugsaction.co.uk
Aberdeen Alcohol and Drug Partnership
Tel:
01224 686057
Email: adp@acvo.org.uk
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
Tel:
08080 10 10 11
Email: helpline@sfad.org.uk
Re-Solv
Helpline number: 01785 817885
Email: information@re-solv.org
Richmondhill House Substance Misuse Outreach
Service
Tel:
01224 634158
Email: Richmondhill.House@vsa.org.uk
The A.C.C. Policy and the full Hazlehead Academy
Policy for dealing with Substance Misuse is available on
the school website.
www.hazleheadacy.aberdeen.sch.uk
16th November, 2015
ACADEMY
SUBSTANCE MISUSE
Information
for
Pupils and Parents/Carers