Drugs Policy

St John the Baptist’s College

DRUGS POLICY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adopted by the Board of Governors: August 2025
Review cycle: Every 2 years (or earlier following major guidance changes)

CONTENTS PAGE

SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Introduction ……………………………………… 4
1.2 Rationale ………………………………………… 4
1.3 Ethos ……………………………………………… 4
1.4 Policy Aims ……………………………………… 5
1.5 Relevant Personnel …………………………… 5
1.6 Roles and Responsibilities ………………… 6–9
1.7 Dissemination of the Policy and Information for Parents … 9

SECTION 2: DEFINITIONS AND THE LAW
2.1 Definitions ……………………………………… 10
2.2 The Legal Context …………………………… 10–11

SECTION 3: THE CURRICULUM
3.1 General Comments ………………………… 11
3.2 Aims of the Drugs Education Programme … 11
3.3 Delivery of the Drugs Education Programme … 12
3.4 Use of Outside Agencies …………………… 12
3.5 Equal Opportunities ………………………… 13
3.6 Additional and Special Educational Needs … 13
3.7 Links with Parents, the Community and the PSNI … 13

SECTION 4: PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING AND REPORTING SUSPECTED DRUG‑RELATED INCIDENTS
4.1 General Comments ………………………… 14
4.2 Responding to Suspected Drugs‑related Behaviour or Illness on School Premises (Immediate Danger) … 14–16
4.3 Responding to Suspected Drugs Misuse on School Premises (No Immediate Danger) … 16–17
4.4 Responding to Suspected Possession or Dealing of Drugs on School Premises … 17–18
4.5 Responding to Suspected Drugs‑related Incident When Off Site … 18–19
4.6 First Aid Procedures in Relation to Drugs … 19
4.7 Confidentiality ………………………………… 20
4.8 Media …………………………………………… 20
4.9 Parents and Students ……………………… 20
4.10 Board of Governors ………………………… 20
4.11 Record Keeping ……………………………… 20

SECTION 5: DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS … 21
SECTION 6: STAFF TRAINING ………… 21
SECTION 7: MONITORING AND EVALUATING … 21

APPENDICES

1. Curriculum ……………………………………… 23–25
2. Recognising Drug Use ……………………… 26–27
3. Emergency Procedures ……………………… 28
4. Protocols for Drug‑related Incidents ……… 30–33
5. The Law and PSNI ……………………………… 33
6. Drugs Incident Report Form ………………… 34–35
7. Sources of Information ……………………… 36

Note: Throughout this policy, ‘parent’ includes parents and carers/guardians.

SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Introduction

St John the Baptist's College is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of every pupil and member of staff. It is a statutory requirement for every grant‑aided school in Northern Ireland to have a drugs policy and to deliver drugs education within the statutory curriculum. This policy sets out our educational approach, prevention work, and consistent procedures for managing suspected drug‑related incidents. [education-ni.gov.uk]

1.2 Rationale

Substance misuse affects all communities and can negatively impact attendance, attainment, safeguarding and life chances. Schools play a key role in helping young people understand risks and develop resilience and refusal strategies. This policy follows the CCEA Drugs Guidance for Schools (Revised 2015) and the Department of Education (DE) Circular 2015/23. [ccea.org.uk], [education-ni.gov.uk]

1.3 Ethos

Our ethos is preventative, evidence‑informed and pastoral. We aim to promote healthy choices, early help, and proportionate responses. The policy aligns with our Safeguarding/Child Protection, Behaviour/Positive Relationships, Medicines, Health & Safety and RSE policies, and with DE guidance. [education-ni.gov.uk]

1.4 Policy Aims

• Provide a safe, supportive environment that discourages substance misuse.
• Ensure age‑appropriate drugs education for all pupils in line with the NI Curriculum (PDMU/LLW). [education-ni.gov.uk]
• Establish clear, lawful procedures for suspected incidents, including liaison with PSNI. [ccea.org.uk]
• Build strong partnerships with parents, carers and community services. [ccea.org.uk]
• Ensure staff are trained and confident to implement this policy. [eani.org.uk]

1.5 Relevant Personnel

• Principal - Mrs N Murray (overall responsibility)
• Designated Teacher for Drugs - Ms S Murphy / Mr J Lynch (Designated Safeguarding Lead / Senior Pastoral Lead)
• Deputy Designated Teacher(s) for Drugs
• First Aiders
• All Staff (teaching & non‑teaching)
• Board of Governors (oversight)
• PSNI School Liaison
• Education Authority (EA) Support
  Defined in CCEA guidance roles/responsibilities. [ccea.org.uk]

1.6 Roles and Responsibilities

Board of Governors: Approves policy; assures compliance with DE/CCEA guidance; ensures resources and training; reviews incidents termly.
Principal: Ensures policy implementation; leads critical incident response; liaises with PSNI and media; ensures parents are informed, where appropriate; oversees record‑keeping.
Designated Teacher for Drugs: [education-ni.gov.uk], [ccea.org.uk] [ccea.org.uk]

• Maintains procedures and staff guidance;
• Coordinates incident response and follow‑up;
• Ensures the Drugs Incident Report Form is completed and securely stored;
• Coordinates curriculum and external agencies.
  All Staff: Safeguard pupils; follow procedures; report concerns immediately; never test substances; never promise confidentiality.
  First Aiders: Provide first aid and call emergency services in line with Section 4.6 and Appendix 3.
  Parents/Carers: Support school policy; reinforce messages at home; attend meetings when requested; share relevant health/safeguarding information.
  Pupils: Engage in learning; follow rules; seek help for themselves or peers; understand sanctions. [ccea.org.uk]

1.7 Dissemination of the Policy and Information for Parents

The policy will be on the school website/prospectus and signposted via Parent App. Parents will be informed in advance when visiting speakers deliver drugs education and can review materials. [education-ni.gov.uk]

SECTION 2: DEFINITIONS AND THE LAW

2.1 Definitions

For this policy, “drugs” include illegal substances (controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971), new psychoactive substances (NPS) (controlled by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016), alcohol, tobacco, nicotine inhaling products/e‑cigarettes (vapes), volatile substances/solvents, prescribed and over‑the‑counter medicines, and drug paraphernalia. [legislation.gov.uk], [legislation.gov.uk], [ccea.org.uk]

2.2 The Legal Context

• Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: offences around possession, supply, production; duties relating to premises. [legislation.gov.uk]
• Psychoactive Substances Act 2016: offences for production/supply/import; aggravated by supply near a school/under‑18s; possession in custodial institutions; exemptions for alcohol, nicotine/tobacco, caffeine, medicines. [legislation.gov.uk], [cps.gov.uk]
• Tobacco/Nicotine Inhaling Products: illegal to sell tobacco or vapes to under‑18s in NI; 2021 Regulations introduced age‑of‑sale and proxy purchasing offences for nicotine inhaling products. [nidirect.gov.uk], [legislation.gov.uk]
• Department of Education (NI): statutory requirement to have a drugs policy; CCEA guidance on management of incidents and curriculum. [education-ni.gov.uk], [ccea.org.uk]
• Health & Safety (RIDDOR): limited circumstances where drug‑related events that arise out of work activities may be reportable to HSENI. [hseni.gov.uk]

SECTION 3: THE CURRICULUM

3.1 General Comments

Drugs education is delivered within Personal Development in Learning for Life and Work (LLW) at post‑primary, and it is a statutory part of the NI Curriculum. [education-ni.gov.uk]

3.2 Aims of the Drugs Education Programme

• Build knowledge of substances, risks, the law, and help‑seeking.
• Develop personal skills (decision‑making, refusal, resilience, bystander skills).
• Challenge myths; promote protective factors and wellbeing.
  Aims reflect DE/CCEA guidance. [education-ni.gov.uk], [ccea.org.uk]

3.3 Delivery of the Drugs Education Programme

• Spiral, age‑appropriate curriculum Y8–Y12 with progressive knowledge/skills.
• Active, inclusive pedagogies; sensitive handling of lived experience.
• Signposting to local services.
• Assessment of learning and pupil voice.
  Aligned with CCEA Drugs Guidance (2015). [ccea.org.uk], [ccea.org.uk]

3.4 Use of Outside Agencies

Where appropriate, accredited external providers may support delivery. The school checks aims, content and materials; a teacher is present; safeguarding and confidentiality boundaries are made explicit; content must align with DE/CCEA guidance. [ccea.org.uk]

3.5 Equal Opportunities

Provision is inclusive and sensitive to culture, faith, SEND and EAL needs; resources reflect diversity and avoid stereotyping, as recommended by DE/CCEA. [education-ni.gov.uk], [ccea.org.uk]

3.6 Additional and Special Educational Needs

Planned reasonable adjustments include accessible language, visual supports, differentiated tasks, and liaison with SENCO and families. [ccea.org.uk]

3.7 Links with Parents, the Community and the PSNI

We will engage parents/carers through information sessions and signposting; liaise with PSNI for preventative input and to meet legal duties where controlled substances are suspected. [ccea.org.uk]

SECTION 4: PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING AND REPORTING SUSPECTED DRUG‑RELATED INCIDENTS

4.1 General Comments

All incidents are managed in line with CCEA Drugs Guidance (2015) using a Drugs Incident Report Form, with safeguarding paramount. Schools should inform PSNI if they believe or suspect a pupil is in possession of a controlled substance. [ccea.org.uk], [healtheduc...unesco.org]

Do not taste, test, or dispose of unknown substances; secure them safely and pass to PSNI as soon as practicable. [ccea.org.uk]

4.2 Responding to Suspected Drugs‑related Behaviour or Illness on School Premises (Immediate Danger)

If a pupil is unwell or at risk:

1. Call 999 and request an ambulance; alert First Aider and the Designated Teacher for Drugs.
2. Keep the pupil safe; do not leave them alone; maintain airway, breathing, circulation; place in recovery position if unconscious; do not induce vomiting; keep any vomit safely for medical staff.
3. Send for any known medication (e.g., prescribed inhaler) and medical information; do not administer others’ medication.
4. Remove onlookers; preserve any evidence (e.g., substances, paraphernalia) in a sealed container/gloves; record time, place, witnesses.
5. Inform Principal; contact parents/carers asap.
6. If a controlled substance or NPS is suspected, secure the substance and inform PSNI. [ccea.org.uk], [legislation.gov.uk]

(See Appendix 3 for emergency procedures drawn from CCEA guidance.) [ccea.org.uk]

4.3 Responding to Suspected Drugs Misuse on School Premises (No Immediate Danger)

• Alert the Designated Teacher for Drugs and a senior leader.
• Isolate the pupil discreetly with pastoral support.
• Searches: Staff do not conduct personal searches; request the pupil to voluntarily produce If refusal and possession is suspected, contact PSNI. (Follow school search policy and law.) [ccea.org.uk]
• Secure any found substances; record details on the Drugs Incident Report Form.
• Inform parents/carers and discuss support/next steps.
• Consider safeguarding referrals where there is risk (e.g., exploitation). [ccea.org.uk]

4.4 Responding to Suspected Possession or Dealing of Drugs on School Premises

• Notify Principal and Designated Teacher for Drugs; inform PSNI if controlled drugs are suspected (possession or supply). [ccea.org.uk]
• Safeguard any pupils potentially being exploited; record factual information only; do not share beyond need‑to‑know. [ccea.org.uk]
• Coordinate with PSNI on evidence handling and parental contact timelines. [ccea.org.uk]

4.5 Responding to Suspected Drugs‑related Incident When Off Site

Applies to school trips, transport, work experience, or events in school uniform. Follow the same steps: immediate safety, inform Trip Leader/Principal, contact parents, and involve PSNI where controlled drugs are suspected. Complete report on return. [ccea.org.uk]

4.6 First Aid Procedures in Relation to Drugs

• Follow trained first‑aid protocols; avoid caffeine or other stimulants; do not give food/drink to drowsy pupils.
• For inhalant misuse (solvents/volatiles): move to fresh air; avoid risk of sudden death from exertion—keep calm and still.
• For suspected opioid overdose: call 999; if naloxone is available via trained personnel in line with local protocols, follow service guidance.
  (See Appendix 3—based on CCEA emergency guidance.) [ccea.org.uk]

4.7 Confidentiality

The classroom and incident management processes are not confidential. Staff must not promise confidentiality. Safeguarding disclosures are shared on a strictly need‑to‑know basis. [ccea.org.uk]

4.8 Media

All media enquiries are directed to the Principal (or delegated spokesperson). No staff or pupils should comment publicly or on social media. [ccea.org.uk]

4.9 Parents and Students

Parents are informed as appropriate and invited to work with the school to support the pupil. Where the law requires (e.g., suspected controlled substances), the school will liaise with PSNI; parents are kept updated, subject to police advice. [ccea.org.uk]

4.10 Board of Governors

The Board receives anonymised termly incident data and ensures policy and training remain current. [ccea.org.uk]

4.11 Record Keeping

• Use the Drugs Incident Report Form; store securely and separately from general pupil files as per data protection. [ccea.org.uk]
• Keep a log of substances handed to PSNI (date/time/officer ID). [ccea.org.uk]

 

SECTION 5: DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Sanctions will be proportionate and consistent with the Behaviour Policy, considering intent, type of substance, context, honesty/cooperation, previous history, and safety of the wider community. Education, early help and referrals may accompany sanctions. Where supply is suspected, the response will be more serious and involve PSNI. [ccea.org.uk]

SECTION 6: STAFF TRAINING

Annual training covers: recognition of signs/symptoms, current trends (including vapes/NPS), emergency response, and the legal framework. Induction includes this policy and the CCEA incident pathway. EA and PSNI materials are used where available. [eani.org.uk], [ccea.org.uk]

SECTION 7: MONITORING AND EVALUATING

• Curriculum: pupil voice, assessments, staff feedback.
• Incidents: analysis of type, time, location, response.
• Policy: annual light‑touch review; full review every 2 years, or earlier if law/guidance changes (e.g., vaping law). [nidirect.gov.uk], [health-ni.gov.uk]

 

 

 

 

 

APPENDICES

Appendix 1 – Curriculum (KS3–KS4)

KS3: Risks/harms; alcohol, tobacco, vapes; medicines and misuse; peer pressure; refusal skills; help‑seeking; solvents/NPS intro; law; bystander and first‑aid basics.
KS4: Decision‑making under pressure; mixing substances; dependency; routes into support; local services; law and consequences; media literacy and online trends.
(Planned within Personal Development strand of LLW.) [education-ni.gov.uk]

Appendix 2 – Recognising Drug Use (indicators)

Physical (e.g., dilated pupils, drowsiness), behavioural (e.g., secrecy, paraphernalia), situational (e.g., sudden peer group change). Indicators do not prove use; escalate concerns to Designated Teacher for Drugs. (Adapted from CCEA guidance.) [ccea.org.uk]

Appendix 3 – Emergency Procedures (At‑a‑Glance)

• Check danger; call 999; maintain ABCs; recovery position if unconscious.
• Do not give other substances/medicines; do not induce vomiting.
• Secure any substance/paraphernalia; record and hand to PSNI.
  (Adapted from CCEA Appendix on emergency procedures.) [ccea.org.uk]

Appendix 4 – Protocols for Drug‑related Incidents

4.1 Finding a suspected substance or paraphernalia on/near school grounds

• Do not touch with bare hands; photograph in situ if safe; place in a sealed container; complete report; inform Designated Teacher/PSNI.
  2 Pupil suspected of having taken drugs/alcohol on premises [ccea.org.uk]
• Move to quiet space with First Aider; follow Section 4.2; inform parents; consider PSNI where controlled drugs are suspected.
  3 Pupil suspected of possessing/distributing illegal substances [ccea.org.uk]
• Isolate calmly; request voluntary hand‑over; secure items; inform PSNI and parents; complete report.
  4 Parent collecting a child and appearing under the influence [ccea.org.uk]
• Prioritise child safety; do not release if unsafe; inform Principal; consider alternative adult; record and, if necessary, seek advice from PSNI/Children’s Services. (Follow Safeguarding Policy.) [ccea.org.uk]

Appendix 5 – The Law and PSNI

Summary sheets: MDA 1971 classes/offences; PSA 2016 offences/exemptions/aggravation near schools; tobacco & vaping under‑18 sales; PSNI contact and property hand‑over log. [legislation.gov.uk], [legislation.gov.uk], [nidirect.gov.uk]

Appendix 6 – Drugs Incident Report Form

Use the CCEA template (adapted with school branding). Store securely. [ccea.org.uk]

Appendix 7 – Sources of Information (NI)

• DE Drugs Guidance hub (policy requirements & links). [education-ni.gov.uk]
• CCEA Drugs Guidance (2015) (policy/incident templates, emergency procedures). [ccea.org.uk]
• EA Safeguarding Resource Library (training/support). [eani.org.uk]
• nidirect – smoking/vaping laws. [nidirect.gov.uk]
• HSENI – RIDDOR incident reporting. [hseni.gov.uk]

Linked Policies

• Safeguarding & Child Protection; Behaviour/Positive Relationships; RSE; Medicines; Health & Safety; Educational Visits.

Approval

Chair of Board of Governors: __________________ Date: __________
Principal: ____________________________________ Date: __________