Review date March 2014
Burnley Road Academy
Drug Education
INTRODUCTION
The use and misuse of substances by young people is a major issue for
schools/organisations and their wider communities. Schools have a vital role to play
in the education of young people regarding substance use. Drug misuse is an
educational issue. Relatively few young people of compulsory school age are
actively involved in experimenting with illegal drugs.
However young people are likely to be exposed to the effects and influences of drug
misuse in the wider community. Drug education may take various approaches but at
Burnley Road Academy it will be mostly through the use of Project Charlie at both
KS1 and KS2 and an additional talk by outside speakers in Years 5 & 6.
Drug education through Project Charlie, aims to:
 Raise young peoples awareness and to help young people to explore their
knowledge, understanding, attitudes and values about drug use and misuse.
 Raise awareness of what are legal and illegal drugs and their long and short
term effects.
 Raise awareness of what factors influence drug use – including societal
attitudes and pressures, cultural traditions and the media.
 Promote that substance misuse at any age can be harmful.
 Inform that using drugs can have a physical and psychological effect, including
the use of alcohol and cigarettes.
Project Charlie has its own health promoting messages. Factual information about
the appropriate use of medicines, tobacco and alcohol consumption contribute to the
development of healthy attitudes and fosters health sustaining behaviours.
TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS
 Project Charlie, Drug Education, is taught through structured lesson plans for
the whole class. It may be necessary in the first instance to assess where the
children are at; either needs knowledge and understanding before working
through the units.
 The lessons in each unit have specific learning outcomes, suggested timings,
a description and a choice of activities and resources. Through these the
class teacher is able to develop a progressive and coherent approach,
appropriate to the children’s needs, knowledge, abilities and skills.
 Classroom set up is important. If possible seating should be in a circle to
allow the class to start and end in a circle, to encourage participation by all in
the discussions.
 Creating and promoting a learning climate of trust, support and honesty in the
classroom enhances personal, social and health education and encourages
discussion in the circle.
 The children will be encouraged to ‘take a Project Charlie Risk’ by sharing
experiences, attitudes, thoughts and feelings.
Drug Education
Review date March 2014
An essential consideration is that the children and the teacher should only share what
they feel willing and comfortable to share. Listening and responding, structured
activities, games, art work, questionnaires, activity sheets, debates, role-play etc.
Visitors should be invited into school to work alongside the class teachers e.g. the
DAT (Drug Action Team) Co-ordinator, local drug agency staff, as well as
parents/carers to enhance the drug education.
RESOURCES
Specific resources are as yet limited. As the project moves on, resources will be
collected/purchased and stored in storage boxes in the resources room. Requests
for resources can be monitored annually and purchased when funds are made
available.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
All children have the same access to Drugs Education regardless of their gender,
race or cultural background. Throughout KS1 & 2 all children will be given
opportunities to acquire a sound understanding of Drug use and misuse.
LINKS WITH OTHER AREAS OF THE CURRICULUM
Project Charlie is a life skills drug education resource which plays an important part
of the framework for personal, social and health education. It can support citizenship
through its attention to the development of life skills.
 Policy on medicines brought to the academy
 Procedures to be taken in event of suspected or confirmed illicit drug use.
ASSESSMENT
Each Project Charlie lesson should end with time to feedback which provides a
regular, but brief, opportunity for evaluation.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPEMNT
The professional development of the staff can take place in the school and externally.
The current development plan and also budgeting restrictions will have to be taken
into consideration.
REVIEW AND EVALUATION
Policy to be reviewed March 2014
Policy agreed at the Governor’s meeting held on 27.03.12.
Drug Education
Review date March 2014
APPENDIX A
Managing Substance-related Incidents
Guidance Notes for Staff
Assess the situation- do not panic!
Does the situation fall into the following categories?
I Medical Emergency
2 Intoxication
3 Suspicion or rumour
4 Finding or discovering a substance
I Medical Emergency
Send someone for medical help and call the ambulance service (do not leave the
pupil alone). If the pupil has collapsed/is unconscious, place in recovery position and
check airways are clear.
Do not move the pupil if a fall may have led to spinal or other serious injury, which
may not be obvious.
Gather any substance, which the pupil may have taken. This may help the hospital
staff identify the cause of the problem and reduce time in providing appropriate
treatment.
If there are witnesses, take names and details of the incident. Keep a record of all
your notes.
Prepare media statement or delay any calls — do not comment until you have
assessed the full situation and decided on a course of action. The Head teacher will
inform the chair of governors/Local Authority/Police, of the situation and maintain
confidentiality.
Under no circumstances attempt to transport the pupil to hospital in a private vehicle.
You may be liable if the worst situation arises.
2 Intoxication
When someone is under the influence of substances including alcohol they should be
approached calmly and carefully. They are not in a position to be counselled or
admonished. If they do not require emergency treatment immediately, send for
assistance and if the pupil is able to move, take them to a quiet, well-ventilated room.
Stay with the pupil. Send for the pupil’s parents or guardian.
If alcohol is involved the pupil may ask for refreshments. Provide the pupil with a
small amount of water only (drinking coffee to lessen the effects is a myth). Do not
give them any medication.
Should the staff member suspect any other substance has been taken, send for an
ambulance and inform parents. If there are other witnesses, try and establish the
nature of the substance taken.
Complete any accident reports or appropriate forms.
3 Suspicion or Rumour
Where a rumour or suspicion that a pupil is using a substance the Head
teacher/Senior Management Team (SMT) should be informed. Rumour can often be
misleading and inaccurate leading to many problems. Try and identify the source of
Drug Education
Review date March 2014
the rumour in a calm manner and be careful not to add to the gossip. Treat the
situation sensitively and very carefully in a confidential manner. Monitor the situation,
record any incidents or indicators of behaviour change and inform the Head
teacher/SMT.
When you are satisfied that sufficient evidence has been gathered then sit down
calmly with the pupil and listen to what they have to say. Try to avoid accusations or
threats. Take a supportive stance but let the pupil know the seriousness of taking
drugs and the school’s position. Keep an ‘open door’ and continue to monitor.
Depending on the nature of the incident, discuss with the Head teacher any further
action to be taken.
Keep in mind the welfare of the pupil and the pupil’s best interest.
4 Finding or discovering a substance
Where a member of staff discovers a substance that they think is illegal or requires
further investigation:
Take the substance to the Headteacher/SMT and if possible try to have an adult
witness when removing the substance. Do not leave a pupil or substance
unattended.
Do not keep possession of the substance yourself or keep it in a safe place.
When handing it over make sure the Head teacher/SMT signs for the substance. It
should then be locked away.
The Head teacher/SMT should hand it to the police, in the presence of an adult
witness.
NB Whilst it is unlawful to be in possession of illegal drugs, it is also a defense to
prove that you are in possession in order to destroy them or hand them over to the
police.
In the event of discovering paraphernalia or equipment which you think might have
been used for administering substances send for the Head teacher/SMT, who will
then contact experts to dispose of them safely.
An official report should be completed.
When receiving or retrieving a substance from a pupil, do so in the presence of
another member of staff. Staff have no right to search but must use professional
discretion if a substance has to be removed from a pupil’s possession in the interests
of their and other pupil’s safety. The situation must be handled sensitively. The
community services police officer may be able to offer assistance in these
circumstances.
Discuss the situation with the Head teacher and when considering options for further
action, contact the appropriate external agencies for advice and support for the pupil
and parents. A Care Plan may need to be developed.
Substances on the premises
The school has a no smoking policy and this is in operation at all times.
Visitors are not permitted to smoke in the building and must leave the premises if
they wish to smoke. This restriction includes personnel carrying out contract work.
Pupils are not permitted to be in possession of, or use alcohol, tobacco, matches,
lighters, and illicit drugs at any time. Any found will be confiscated and handed over
to parents or the police. Parents will be informed as a matter of course.
We ensure that the pupils know the school rule that all drugs and medicines need to
be managed at school by teachers, and can only be brought onto school premises
Drug Education
Review date March 2014
with a teacher’s knowledge and approval. These procedures link with our policies on
administering medicines, first aid and discipline.
Confidentiality
The school has the best interests of the pupils concerned in mind when dealing with
drug incidents, however members of staff cannot always guarantee complete
confidentiality. Members of staff should make this clear before discussion.
Some pupils approach staff as a way of a cry for help or sharing their anguish. Where
ever possible pupils should be encouraged to approach and discuss the problems
with a parent or guardian. This may be difficult for some pupils who do not receive
the support from home. Staff may want to take advice from an experienced colleague
or outside agency.
The Head teacher should be informed of potentially serious situations depending on
the nature of the disclosure and a confidential record kept. Pupils must be informed
of any actions taken. (Refer to child protection procedures if deemed necessary).
Each case should be judged on its own merits, though most professionals interpret
their moral and professional duty as indicating two situations where a breach of
confidence is justified:
• Where there is a child protection issue
• Where the life of a person is at risk
The staff member and the Head teacher need to apply a modicum of common sense
to very sensitive situations and whilst keeping the best interests of the pupil in mind
also protect themselves. (See ‘The Right Responses’ SCODA ISBN 0 948970M 32 4)
Parents/Guardians/Carers Who Misuse Substances
If it is discovered that parents/guardians/carers are misusing substances that may put
a child at risk a confidential report should be made and the Head teacher should be
informed. The school will seek the advice of appropriate external agencies. This will
be managed in a sensitive and caring manner, but children’s needs remain the
priority.
Drug Education