SOUTHCITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Policy and Procedures for Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse Excited About the Future PO Box 149, Ramsgate, 4285 TEL 039 314 9524/470/551 FAX 039 314 9632 EMAIL admin@southcitycollege.co.za
SOUTHCITY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Policy and Procedures for Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse Introduction One of the growing dangers that schools and pupils face today is the availability of drugs. Drug and alcohol addiction crosses barriers of class, race and religion. Involvement with drugs is often the result of peer pressure, social anxiety, family trauma or experimentation. We cannot and must not believe that Southcity Christian Schools is immune and our pupils need to be made aware that no drug or chemical substance will relieve them of the inevitable pain, stress and trauma of the real world. They need to be equipped to take responsibility for their lives through making informed choices and to realise that there are consequences to all choices made. The aim of this policy is to make Southcity Christian Schools environment drug free and to adopt a proactive rather than a reactive approach to this problem. We will attempt to eliminate the strong peer pressure element as a cause of drug abuse by introducing life skills into the curriculum, teaching pupils assertiveness and how to make the appropriate choices. The drug Policy brings with it an attitude and willingness of the school to protect, educate and assist in the rehabilitation of the children. We understand that children may make the wrong choices in life and we would like to be part of the process of helping children make the right choices and to fix the mistakes they have made. The school will endeavour to do everything possible to assist each child that may be involved in drug or substance abuse. Drug Abuse Drug abuse refers to the harmful use of chemical substances: cocaine, marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy, tobacco as well as appetite suppressants, cough mixtures, thinners, Valium and Wellconal, are but a few. Generally it refers to the excessive use of any chemical substance which results in the impairment of an individual s mental, emotional or physical state of well-being. This implies a loss of control over the use of the substances. Enrolment Form and Consent to Drug/Alcohol Testing. On initial enrolment all pupils and their parents will sign Southcity Christian Schools Policy document relating to substance abuse in which : They acknowledge and endorse the aims of the school s drug policy. They understand that being in the possession of an illegal substance constitutes a criminal act. No pupil may use or deal or be in possession of any drug or habit forming narcotic, alcohol or tobacco on the school property or at any school function, excursion or tour. They will provide the school with a doctor s certificate if the pupil is on any chronic medication. They give the school permission to take regular urine samples on a random selection basis as well as for blood tests on pupils under suspicion. In addition the school reserves the right to subject pupils on the property to a drug screen at the Managing Director s discretion. Any pupil suspected of taking drugs or found in possession of drugs or alcohol, will be referred to the Managing Director who will contact the parents and inform them of his intention of taking a urine sample for testing. The School Regulations 1. Procedure for Random Testing Pupils will be randomly selected on a regular basis. A senior male and a senior female member of staff will be appointed by the Managing Director to assist with the testing. The pupils selected will be escorted individually to the bathroom. Any pupil refusing to give a urine sample will be regarded as positive and the onus will be on him/her and the parents to prove that he/she is negative at a facility approved by the Headmaster. The pupil must produce a urine sample which will be tested in his/her presence using the Drug Testing kit supplied. The result of the tests will be provided to each individual privately on the same day. Should any test be positive, the test must be verified at an approved clinic. Any pupil testing positive will have to report to the Managing Director and the parents will be notified immediately. All drug testing will be handled confidentially and only the Managing Director and the teacher who conducted the test will know the results of the test.
2. Pupils That Test Positive. Should a pupil test positive for any illegal substance the parents will be notified immediately. The Managing Director will call a meeting with the parents. The pupil may be suspended from the school until the meeting has taken place. During the meeting the following will take place: The extent of the abuse will be determined if possible. Reasons for the abuse will be determined if possible. Attitude of pupils and of parents toward the problem will be assessed. The course of action taken will vary depending on the outcome of the meeting and may include: Counselling and therapy the school will assist wherever possible to ensure that the pupil receives appropriate pastoral support and professional care e.g. the pupil may be referred to Ramsgate Rehab Centre, Jericho Treatment Centre (or equivalent alternative) for assessment and therapy. Community service for a determined period. Immediate suspension for a determined period. Expulsion. The pupil will be tested regularly (at intervals determined by the school) to ensure no further use/abuse of substances. Should the pupil test positive for a second time after having returned under the above conditions, the child will be expelled immediately. 3. Procedures for Counselling and Rehabilitation. The following procedures will serve as the primary guidelines for dealing with problems of drug abuse and dependency at Southcity Christian Schools. 3.1 When there is a reason to believe that a pupil is abusing drugs or alcohol or is suffering at the hands of others who are doing so, the matter will be referred to the Grade Head who will take all the necessary steps to investigate and verify the seriousness or otherwise of the problem. In all cases where a pupil admits to having a problem or comes to seek help voluntarily, the teacher concerned will provide assistance in determining the best possible course of rehabilitative action. Rehabilitative action does not preclude the school from taking disciplinary action if applicable. Counselling and rehabilitative action will be based on the complete, open and honest disclosure by pupil(s) of all drug or alcohol related information. 3.2 Circumstances Surrounding Disciplinary Action. Disciplinary action as set out in clause 2 will be taken against pupils who abuse drugs or alcohol at school, or who come to school under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This indicates the possession of, the provision of, or causing to make available at school, illegal drugs and/or alcohol or on organised school outings, events or camps. Disciplinary action can also be taken against a student failing to meet the conditions of rehabilitation. 3.3 Testing of Substance Abuse Random testing will be done on any day determined by the Managing Director without warning. Should additional testing be required for any individual pupil e.g. there is evidence of suspected abuse a urine and/or blood test and/or breathalyser test may be requested by the Managing Director, the parents will be contacted and informed of the school s intention. It remains the prerogative of the school to proceed with appropriate disciplinary action even if consent is withheld and where there is sufficient evidence to warrant such action. 3.4 Cost of Testing The cost of the drug testing kit referred to in paragraph 1 above, whether or not the pupil tests positive, will be for the account of the parent/s. All costs of additional testing for pupils who test positive will be for the account of the parent/s. Such additional costs would include: i) The verification of the random test at an approved clinic. ii) Counselling and therapy as more fully set out in clause 2 above. iii) Urine and/or blood tests and/or breathalyser tests as more fully set out in clause 3.3
3.5 Referral for Police Action Where a student is distributing and/or selling illegal drugs or alcohol at school, that student will be liable for immediate suspension and expulsion. In such cases, the school will contact the parents and reserves the right to contact the police for further investigation. The school will assist the police in their investigation at the school and will also initiate appropriate disciplinary action of its own where necessary. 3.6 Search The Government Gazette of May 1996 No 18900 states that schools are authorised to conduct a search, as per clause 3.8 below. Clause 3.8: The principle or an educator, upon reasonable suspicion ( sufficient information), has the legal authority to conduct a search of any learner or property in possession of the learner for a dangerous weapon, firearms, drugs or harmful dangerous substance, stolen property, or pornographic material brought on to the school property. (A search may be performed in terms of the following Acts of general application: Control of Access to Public Premises and Vehicles Act, 1985, Act No. 53 of 1985; Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992; Arms and ammunition Act of 1969; Act No. 75 of 1969). During a search human dignity shall be observed and learners shall be searched in private by persons of their own gender, preferably in the presence of at least one other person. A record must be kept of the search proceedings and the outcome. Searches may be conducted on organised school outings, events or camps should there be reasonable suspicion. Education Programmes In keeping with the ethos of the school and the belief that prevention is better than cure the school will: Arrange regular guest speakers to address both pupils and parents on the subject of drug awareness, explaining the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, tell-tale signs to look for and how to handle some of the related issues. Participate in police forums in the area dealing with drug and alcohol abuse. Provide a safe environment for pupils wishing to voluntarily seek assistance with any drug or alcohol abuse or related problems. Suggestion boxes will be available for information about drugs and drug trafficking in order that pupils may remain anonymous should they so wish. Organisations such as the following are available for assistance in all drug related problems. Details can be obtained from the school. Jericho Treatment Centre Social Development Port Shepstone South Coast Recovery Centre
SOUTHCITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS PO Box 149, Ramsgate, 4285 TEL 039 314 9524/470/551 FAX 039 314 9546 EMAIL admin@southcitycollege.co.za Drug Policy and Procedures (GRADE 8 12) Consent by Parent / Guardian I / We the undersigned Parents/Guardians of in Grade Acknowledge receipt of and endorse the aims and objectives of the school s Drug Policy as contained in the Drug Policy and Procedures Document. I/we hereby give permission for random urine samples to be taken from my/our child to be tested for any signs of drug use/ abuse should the school deem it necessary. I/we agree to pay the costs of such testing, irrespective of the results, as I/we believe this policy gives pupils a reason to say No when offered substances. Signed at: on the day of Parent / Guardian Pupil Agreement I, in Grade acknowledge that I have read the Drug Policy and Procedures of Southcity Christian Schools and agree to the procedures set out therein. Signed at on the day of Pupil s Signature: