1. Introduction
As part of our duty of care to promote students’ wellbeing, there is a clear role to play in preventing drug misuse as part of our pastoral responsibilities.
The scope of this policy covers the use and misuse of alcohol, legal drugs and illegal drugs. For information on drug education in the British Council School please refer to the appropriate section of the Curriculum policy.
The definition of a drug given by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is: ‘A substance people take to change the way they feel, think or behave.’
For the purposes of this policy the word 'drug' or 'drugs' may refer to, but is not limited to, any of the following substances:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Medicines, both prescription and over the counter
- Volatile substances (those giving off a gas or vapour which can be inhaled)
- Illegal drugs
- 'Legal' drugs, ie. 'Legal Highs'
For the purpose of clarity, the use of a specific medicine which is used by a specific individual to treat an appropriate illness or condition shall fall outside the remit of this policy.
2. Policy Statement
We are committed to the best safeguarding and care of its students. We believe that the misuse of alcohol or the use of drugs is detrimental to the wellbeing of our pupils and all those in our community.
The use of illegal and other unauthorised drugs is not acceptable at anytime and in any place. The terms of this policy and the responses of the British Council School to any student found to be in breach of this policy remain relevant whether the student is on British Council School premises, or outside the British Council School boundaries and where their actions may reflect upon the reputation of The British Council School. This policy also applies on journeys to and from the British Council School, occasions when students are wearing British Council School uniform, on the British Council School campus and surrounding areas, work experience, residential or day trips, college courses and other occasions when they are representing the British Council School.