Drugs
All schools should have a drug policy which covers the content and organisation of drug education, the management of drug incidents, and meeting the needs of pupils. The policy should be developed in consultation with pupils, parents, governors and the wider school community.
Information for schools
The Department has produced guidance to schools on all issues
related to drugs, accompanied by a supporting summary. These documents are
designed to be used by all staff in primary, secondary and special schools and
pupil referral units (PRUs) in England. They set out the school's role in
relation to all drug matters, and provide guidance on:
- The content and organisation of drug education
- The management of drugs within school boundaries
- Supporting the needs of pupils with regards to drugs and drug policy development
Copies have been sent to all schools, and both are available here:
The Qualification Curriculum Authority (QCA) has developed exemplar drug, alcohol and tobacco curriculum materials for Key Stages 1-4.
The FRANK drug-awareness campaign
A pack produced by the Government's FRANK campaign focuses
specifically on vulnerable groups, including school excludees and truants,
young offenders, the homeless, young people in care and children of
substance-misusing parents. These young people are among those most likely to
become problematic drug users and, as such, are most in need of support.
'Vulnerable Young People — Making the
Difference' highlights the key issues that they face and outlines
practical action points.
FRANK provides free, confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours per day. The key purpose of the campaign is to ensure that young people understand the risks and dangers of drugs and know where to go for advice and help. It also offers advice to parents and carers on how to talk to their children about drugs. For more information please ring 0800 77 66 00 or visit the FRANK website.
The DrugScope website also has an area, D-world, designed for schools and families, which focuses on understanding the impact of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Other sources of information
The Government reclassified cannabis from Class C to Class B in
January 2009. The decision was part of the new ten-year drug strategy
(Drugs: Protecting families and communities) published in February 2008. A
young person found to be in possession of cannabis will be arrested. Make sure
you know the facts by reading more about cannabis and its reclassification.
The Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals (FDAP) is the professional body for practitioners in the substance misuse field, working to help improve standards of practice in dealing with people — including children — with drug and alcohol problems. Visit their Drinkanddrugs.net website, which is a web portal for those who deal with drug and alcohol issues in the course of their work, and to download Drink and Drugs News, a free, fortnightly magazine. The FDAP also holds training events and conferences, and offers professional qualifications opportunities.
Last updated: 01 July 2009
