Substance Abuse is an ongoing problem in South African Schools. It affects the lives of many young people today and our school is no exception. Substance abuse is devastating and without help, ends in one of three places. These are either in a gang, in jail or dead. Our efforts are to protect our pupils from these dire consequences.

At the end of this page, a comprehensive definition of what is a drug is included. At Camps Bay High we regard cigarettes as a gate way drug to smoking marijuana. We consider alcohol a drug and its use and abuse by underage children as serious as other drug usage.

We enjoy the National and Regional Education Departments support in our school’s programme to initiate effective and sustainable substance abuse policies. The management and staff of Camps Bay High School wish to create a safe and drug free environment for all. We will endeavour to assist learners who experience problems relating to substance abuse. Our emphasis will be on creating an environment where our learners can receive assistance. However, we are also responsible for the safety of our whole school and we will initiate disciplinary measures where and when required to deal with repeat offenders, with people found in possession of illegal substances and pupils attempting to sell illegal substances or in any way encouraging other pupils to experiment with illegal substances. Each case will be dealt with on its own merits but we do have a basic guideline in this document of the policies with regards intervention strategies. This document can and will be changed and adapted as time progresses if required.


2) MISSION

The motivation for this policy is to create a safe and secure environment with definite policies for all learners, staff and parents to assist with preventative education strategies. The policy includes definitive guidelines for intervention strategies for people who have been identified as either drug or alcohol abusers. This policy is for the benefit of the whole school community and endeavours in all situations to help support and aid in the rehabilitation process of individuals abusing substances. The emphasis is therefore on assistance and not on punitive strategies, however disciplinary measures will be exercised with repeat offenders and or people caught in possession or dealing on the school premises. The assistance is available to all and the responsibility lies with the individual to make use of these resources. The policy will therefore assist with the following:

2.1) Learners

• It will help create a safe environment for education at the school.
• It will lay down definitive boundaries.
• It will highlight consequences of choices made.
• It will give definitive procedures for all so there can be no misunderstanding as to what the individual and the school should do in situations where substance abuse has been identified.

2.2) Parents

• It will give parents clear information with regards to strategies to be followed by the school should their child be identified abusing substances.
• It will create a platform for a united front to be developed between educators, learners and parents alike to address the issue of substance abuse.
• It will highlight strategies with regards to education and prevention programmes for parents.

2.3) Educators

• Consistency in dealing with substance abuse.
• Consistency in prevention and education strategies.
• Create a policy that is realistic and sustainable and easy to enforce.
  
  

3) IMPLEMENTATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

• The policy will be enforceable.
• The whole school body will be made aware of the policy and it will be signed by all learners and their parents before being accepted at the school.
• All staff and leaders within the school will be dedicated to the process and be seen to be enforcing the policy.
• Parents will be invited to assist the school with the implementation of the policy.
• The prevention campaigns will be proactive and effective.
• Structured intervention will be adhered to at all times.
• Knowledge of the policy can be examined as part of the life orientation curriculum.
• Compulsory parent evenings specifically geared to educate the parents on the schools code of conduct of which this policy forms part for learners in grade eight.
  
  

4) POLICY

4.1) Prevention and education strategy

• Substance Abuse forms part of the Life Orientation curriculum so an annual strategy will be adopted to address this subject adequately.
• This could include the use of outside organisations that specialise in this field.
• Projects and work assignments on Substance Abuse.
• Course tests on the subject.
• The development of a peer-helper initiative.
• Visual aids around the school like posters and multi-media tools.
• Accessibility to information on the web.

4.1.1) What role do learners play in prevention?

• Peer support initiative.
• Support groups.
• Concern for one another – recognizing behaviour in friends that could indicate substance abuse and getting help for them.

4.1.2) What role do educators play in prevention?

• Educate themselves to be more knowledgeable on the subject.
• Assignments on topic for all learning areas including research, presentations, projects, orals, informal discussions, debates and or dramas.
• Be more vigilant and approachable.
• Encourage pupils to sign a Pledge form undertaking to live “Drug Free”.
  
  

4.2 Considerations for the Intervention Policy:

4.2.1) The school forbids the following:

• The possession and use of any illegal substances.
• The misuses of any prescribed or over-the-counter pharmaceutical medication.
• The use of any solvents, inhalants or any other chemical substances.
• The possession and use of any cigarettes and or other illegal drugs.
• The possession and use of alcohol.
• The possession of drug paraphernalia like rizlas, pipes, lighter, matches, etc.
• Dealing in any substances that can be deemed as harmful to any member of the school.
• The possession of cigarettes on the school property.

4.2.2) This policy is in effect:

• Anywhere on the school property.
• During school functions, outings or any other school function.
• When members of the school are representing the school.
• When a pupil can be identified as a member of the school.
• When use of the substance affects the performance of an individual at school or during any school function.

4.2.3) Contravention of above-mentioned stipulation could result in one or more of the following:

• The drawing up of a contract between all affected parties.
• Initiation of a rehabilitation action plan.
• Regular Drug tests.
• Disciplinary measures which could include warnings, suspension or expulsion.

4.2.4) Drug screening or testing:

• A drug test will be administered or required by the school if a reasonable number of indicators point towards possible drug usage. The test will be administered in an environment that is committed to safeguarding personal rights relating to privacy, dignity and bodily integrity.
• Random drug testing may also be done by the school.
• A drug test may also form part of a structured intervention or relapse prevention program, and be carried out according to school policy.
• Costs incurred through testing under these circumstances will be the responsibility of the individual’s parents.
  

4.2.5) Searching

• Pupils will only be searches by persons of the same gender as part of a structured intervention, if there is reasonable suspicion that the learner is in possession of a prohibited substance. Should a search be necessary, it will take place in the presence of the learner concerned. They may chose for a peer to be present to support them and/or a second adult witness of the same gender.
• The learner will be isolated under supervision.
• The learner will be given the opportunity of searching his/her own property in the presence of the above-mentioned witnesses.
• If the learner refuses, then the parents may be called in to affect the search.
• If the learner and parents refuse, then the police may be called in to affect the search.

4.3) Structured Intervention

• Each case will be considered on its individual merits taking into account:
• The nature of the incident
• The learner/student’s school and family history
• Cultural background
• Mental health and intellectual development
• Any other relevant information including progress reports, performance attendance of extra-murals etc.
  

The school has defined three major strategic intervention models; however as situations differ so will the intervention strategy if required:

4.3.1) Intervention for willing assistance:

• Written agreement entered into between individual, school and parents. This agreement may change from situation to situation. The Guidance officer has drafts of such agreements.
• Regular drug testing as part on a relapse prevention programme.
• Individual counselling with school counsellor.
• Individual counselling with governing body nominated psychologist or social worker if required.
• Group sessions at the school if they are available.
• Attendance of a rehabilitation centre if required.
• This process will be centred on assistance and will not be punitive.
• If the individual continues to abuse substances or does not make full use of resources suggested to him/her or if they do not co-operate then disciplinary measures will be considered which could include suspension or even expulsion.

4.3.2) Intervention procedures for individual suspected of substance abuse:

• A reasonable amount of indicators must be present.
• The list of indicators or signs and symptoms may be obtained at the guidance department.
• The individual will be counselled.
• The individuals parents may be called in
• The individual could be drug tested.
• If the individual admits to use of substances or if the tests are positive then they will be suspended from school until they are able to prove that the substance is no longer in their bodies. This will be done by passing a drug test.

4.3.3) Intervention procedure for dealing with pupils caught using/ in possession or under the influence of an illegal substances:

• If deemed necessary, the police called.
• Parents of the individual will be called in.
• In all cases, disciplinary procedures will be followed these could include a disciplinary hearing which may result in suspension or expulsion.
• If a pupil is under the influence of a drug, then they will be suspended from school until they are able to pass a drug test.

4.3.4) Intervention procedure for a pupil dealing in drugs.

• Any pupil caught dealing in drugs will be immediately suspended from school subject to a disciplinary hearing.
• The police will be called and formal charges will be laid against the pupil.

5) Glossary or definitions:

Drug: A substance that produces a psychoactive effect. In this policy the term drug is used generically to include tobacco and herbal cigarettes, alcohol, pharmaceutical drugs (prescribed and over the counter), illicit drugs, image and performance enhancing substances and inhalants and other volatile substances.

Illicit/illegal Drug: A range of drugs which the production, sale, possession and use of is prohibited. These drugs include but are not limited to amphetamine, cocaine, dagga, ecstasy, heroin, LSD, mandrax.

Inhalants: Substances inhaled for their effect such as glue, thinners, petrol, aerosol sprays, paint, solvents etc.

Image & Performance Enhancing drugs: A range of substances, some illicit others not, used to enhance sporting or athletic performance or body image, such as anabolic steroids.

Pharmaceuticals: Prescription and over the counter drugs available from a pharmacy. It is illegal to possess or use some of these drugs without a prescription.

Psychoactive Substance: A psychoactive substance alters the way in which the body and/or mind functions. It alters the way a person normally thinks, feels and behaves.

Structured Intervention: A controlled crisis where the user is confronted with the desperate reality of his or her situation and offered treatment.

Reintegration into the school community: Procedures for (re)engaging and supporting learners and educators in school attendance following a drug-related interruption to their education/career.

Relapse: When a person has been abstinent for a period and starts using drugs again.

Relapse prevention: Procedures to help a person in recovery from dependency to remain abstinent.

School community: Learners, educators and other school staff including Governing Bodies and parents/guardians

Random drug testing/screening: Picking people at random to be tested (usually urine) for the presence of drugs in the body

Experimentation: First time or infrequent use

Use/occasional use: Infrequent/occasional use

Misuse/Problematic use: Regular, if infrequent, use with damaging consequences

Dependency/Addiction: Loss of control. Continuing to use despite the harmful consequences.