For Parents and Pupils.
This week and next the school will be highlighting this problem,
which is of great concern to us all. We are taking this opportunity
to co-incide with various local and national initiatives and especially
the campaign current in anational daily paper. Like the Daily
Record and the vast majority of our pupils and parents we aim
to demonstrate that we are against illegal drugs and the drug
culture and in favour of health and a life free from the negative
influences which the misuse of drugs brings.
What is the drugs situation
in Scottish schools today?
Drugs are a major concern for police and trafficking is one of
the most common and serious criminal offences in society. Despite
intense police activity, all the evidence shows that drugs are
readily available and for a section of society they are apparently
taken for granted. Drug culture is often a prominent element of
youth and pop culture in the media. There are many individuals
in society who want to push drugs to young people. It is unlikely
that these people will have any qualms about penetrating inside
the gate of any school to target and exploit school pupils whom
they see only in terms of a potentially easy source of profit.
What is Garnock's attitude
to the drug problem?
We all have responsibility - teachers, parents, school staff,
police and pupils - to do all we can to prevent this trade happening
in our school and to make it clear to everyone that there is
no place here for drugs.
What is Garnock Academy
doing about it?
This SPOTLIGHT is to bring the anti-drugs message to everyone's
attention. However, this work is going on all year, in PSE lessons
in class, in keeping the school's drugs policy up to date, in
assemblies to each year group at which the anti-drugs message
is emphasised, and in counselling sessions for individuals and
groups. We use the expertise available in the Social Work Department,
the Police and in the school Health Service. Some of these will
be used during the period of the Spotlight. Garnock Academy School
Board also supports the school Spotlight initiative and intends
to host a drugs information evening for parents in the very near
future.
Throughout this initiative we must make clear that our policy
is that the misuse of drugs in school is not acceptable and the
trade in drugs in school is to be condemned.
What happens in Garnock
if someone is found to be misusing drugs?
The local education authority of North Ayrshire Council (NAC)
lays down basic procedures for dealing with drug misuse in school.
These procedures are very detailed and very precise. If parents
would like to have a copy of them they should contact the school.
· In all cases a record of the incident and the actions
taken will be completed and the report sent to NAC.
· The Council guidelines point out that the first priority
is the safety of the individual concerned and of the whole school
community.
· The Guidelines specify what is to happen in circumstances
where there is a requirement for medical attention:
* In an emergency, the ambulance will be called.
* A person under the influence of a substance will be kept under
direct supervision of an adult.
* Parents will be informed and they will be asked to come to
school to take the child home for observation.
In some cases the evidence for drug misuse lies in the unusual
behaviour of the pupil. This may be reported to senior staff who
will interview the pupil. Even if the pupil denies misusing drugs
or other substances the school will contact parents and tell
them of concerns.
This will happen even if there is no other evidence. ( We are
all parents ourselves and this is what we would want to happen
if our own children were suspected of being involved)
In cases where there is evidence of drug abuse the school is obliged
to treat the matter very seriously and to adopt very strict disciplinary
procedures.
· All such cases will be investigated, notes taken and
records and any evidence kept.
· Parents should be informed and they may be asked to
attend school.
· A report will be made to NAC Educational Services.
· The police will be informed.
· A report may be made to the Reporter to the Children's
Panel.
Such cases will also be subject to the disciplinary procedures
of the school. This may include a period of suspension from school
and a disciplinary referral to NAC Educational Services.
What is the legal position?
Misuse of controlled drugs is a criminal offence under the Misuse
of Drugs Act, 1971, which deals with possession, possession with
intent to supply, and actual supplying of drugs.
Similarly it is illegal to allow drug offences to take place in school. Failure to take positive action against drugs misuse or to inform police may render management liable to prosecution. (Parents who allow children to take drugs, or deal in drugs, in their house are committing an offence.)
Evidence and statements have to be maintained carefully. If they know of offences being committed staff must report them.
What can parents do and
what help can they get?
Be aware of the types of misuse which you can encounter. These
include:
· Solvent abuse.
· Misuse of over-the-counter remedies and of prescription
medicines.
· Illegal taking of controlled drugs.
As a parent you have a big advantage over other people trying
to give advice to your children - you know them better than anyone.
Parents have a ready-made relationship built up over years, and
even though no family is perfect there is usually enough love
and trust around to be able to make a difference. The recent Health
Education Board for Scotland (HEBS) guide for parents includes
the following:
· Don't be afraid to discuss drugs with young children.
Older children can often be drawn into a discussion with their
wee brother or sister.
· Ask questions, ask what they think, listen to them -
don't lecture.
· There's no shame in admitting your knowledge of drugs
is limited. Children don't warm to adults who try to be 'cool'
and pretend they know it all.
· Use things like TV and newspaper reports to bring up
the subject and get a discussion going.
HEBS gives advice on what to do if you are confronted with an
episode of drugs misuse. Among other things they provide:
· Advice on how you can tell if your child is taking drugs
- the signs to look for.
· A description of each of the main drugs types and their
short and long term effects.
· A summary of the legal position.
· First Aid advice and what to do if your child has a
reaction to drugs they've taken.
· If you would like a copy of a Parent's Guide, please
contact the school.
Where do you go for help?
· Your family doctor
· Local Health Centre can provide advice and direct you
to support groups
· Scottish Drugs Forum provides advice on 0141 221 1175
· National Drugs Helpline will give confidential counselling
and advice on 0800 77 66 00
· HEBS itself can be contacted at 0131 536 5500 and has
a very informative web site on http://www.hebs.scot.nhs.uk/
During the course of this spotlight, Garnock Academy will make
available a special telephone number to parents and pupils. If
you would like advice or if you want to talk to us about anything
which is concerning you about drugs in schools you can phone the
confidential number at any time between 10.00am and 5.00pm each
evening until the end of term.
The telephone number is
Garnock Academy
School Road
Kilbirnie
KA25 7AX
Telephone: 01505 682685
Email: office@garnockacademy.n-ayr.sch.uk
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