Belfast Metropolitan College

STUDENT MISUSE OF LEGAL AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES POLICY

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Belfast, BT3 9DT

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Further Information

For further information about the issues discussed within this document please contact:

Department of Learner Services

Belfast Metropolitan College

Titanic Quarter Campus

7 Queen’s Road

Belfast, BT3 9DT

Document History

Document Title / Student Misuse of Legal and Illegal Substances Policy
Document Author / Learner Services
Document Location & Reference / Intranet /Support Docs /Learner Success
Revision Date / April 2017
Last Saved / April 2017
Control Status / Internal

Document Location

This document is only valid on the day it was printed.

The master and control version of this document will remain with the Corporate Development and can be found on the Intranet.

Distribution

This document has been distributed to:

Name / Date of Issue / Version
Senior Leadership Team / August 2012 / 1

Contents

Policy …………………………………………...... 3
Procedure…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Roles and Responsibilities ………………………………………….…………………………………………….4
Dealing with Students who misuse legal and illegal substances…………………………………4
Discovery of illegal substances or alcohol …………………………………………………………………4
Disciplinary Procedure………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Parental Contact……………………………………………………………………………………………………….6
Notification to Governing Body…………………………………………………………………………………6
Response to Media Enquires…………………………………………………………………………………….6
Referral to External Agencies …………………………………………………………………………………..6
Appendix 1- Useful Contacts……………………………………………………………………………………..7

POLICY

Belfast Metropolitan College is aware that young people and adults live in a rapidly changingsociety with attendant pressures from economic difficulties, relationships and thesocial context in which they live.

However, it must be remembered that the possession, use and/or selling of illicit drugs is a criminal offence.

The possession, use or sale of illegal substances or alcohol, or the misuse of prescription drugs, will not be tolerated on Collegeproperty. Students who do not comply with the College regulations will face disciplinary proceedings as outlined in the Student Disciplinary Procedures document.

This policy seeks to inform, educate and treat sensitively those individuals involved in liaison with outside agencies concerned with substance abuse education and the PSNI Drugs Squad.

A comprehensive programme of information giving, health education, personal support and counselling will be available for students where appropriate. A list of external agencies is included at the end of this document.

Students who have been involved in substance misuse may access a range of support services including their GP, counselling, referral to outside agencies (eg ASCERT) or the Health Promotion Agency. Further information can be found in the Student Support Handbook.

PROCEDURE

1Roles and Responsibilities

1.1The Head of Learner Success is the designated member of staff responsible for the management, coordination and communication of the Student Misuse of Legal and Illegal Substances Policy.

1.2The Head of Learner Success will:

Assist the Directorate in monitoring and reviewing the College policy on the misuse of legal and illegal substances;

Make arrangements for the implementation of the related procedure; and

Make relevant information available to teaching and curriculum staff and students.

1.3All staff have a responsibility to familiarise themselves with the policy and to follow the procedures for the management of related incidents.

2Dealing with Students who Misuse Legal and Illegal Substances

2.1Staff should follow the procedure noted below when dealing with incidents involving students who appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or who are engaging in inappropriate behaviour as a result of suspected drug or alcohol misuse.

Seek a first aider for advice and support;

Phone for an ambulance if the student seems to be in need of medical help;

Identify the student via their student ID card;

If the student is under 18, inform his/her emergency contact;

Report the incident to a line manager, who should write a brief, factual report of the incident and inform the police; and

The student's Head of Department may make a referral to the College’s counselling service or outside support agencies.

2.2If a student is blatantly involved in the possession, use or sale of legal or illegal drugs or alcohol, they may be asked to leave the premises. Assistance from College security staff may be sought if necessary.

2.3If the person appears to be a visitor, College security staff should ask them to leave, and either escort the person off the premises or call for help.

2.4Students who ask for help with a substance misuse problem should be advised to contact College Counselling Services and/or appropriate public health agencies.

2.5If a member of staff suspects that a student has a substance misuse problem, and the student accepts that he/she has a problem, he/she should be signposted to relevant internal and external services. Details of these services can be found in the Student Handbook.

2.6Staff must respect student confidentiality. If a student is receiving help for a substance misuse problem, that information will be shared on a 'need to know' basis only.

3Discovery of Illegal Substances or Alcohol

3.1If a student is suspected of possessing illegal substances or alcohol on College premises, a note should betaken of the student’s name, College ID number and course details and the grounds for suspicion. Thesedetails should be reported immediately to the relevant Curriculum Area Manager.

3.2Under no circumstances should a member of staff attempt to removeany substances or alcohol from a student by force. However, if a student is blatantlyinvolved in substance misuse or alcohol use onCollegepremises, amember of staff may instruct the student to leave College premises.

3.3If the student is incapacitated, the member of staff should telephone the student’s nominated emergency contact, and, if applicable, the emergency services.

3.4If a member of staff discovers alcohol or a substance suspected to be illegal, theyshould:

Remove the item from the location in which it was found. Ideally, thisshould be done in the presence of a witness;

Report the incident immediately to a line manager or on duty Estates manager; and

Hand the item over to the line manager. Staff must not retain the item on their person or in a place of safekeeping for action at a later time, as doing so may place their job at risk.

3.5Afterwards, the member of staff should record the place, date, time and circumstanceswhen the item came into their possession, and to whom and when it was handed over.

3.6When possible, the member of staff should have the above notes countersigned by a witness. The member of staff should then pass the notes to their lien manager.

3.7At no time should a member of staff place him/herself in personal danger or at risk when dealing with drug or alcohol related student or visitor issues.

4Disciplinary Procedure

4.1Students who do not adhere to the College’s policy on the misuse oflegal or illegal substances or alcohol will be subject to the Student Disciplinary procedure.

5Parental Contact

5.1 In the event of a student under the age of eighteen being involved in substanceabuse or in the use of alcohol on College premises, the course coordinator will inform the student’s parents or guardian(s).

5.2In the event of a student over the age of eighteen being involved in substance abuse or in the use of alcohol on College premises,a decision as to who will be informed will be made by relevant seniormanager in liaison with the Head of Learner Success.

6Notification to Governing Body

6.1 The Head of LearnerSuccess will brief the appropriateDeputy Director who will report to the Governing Body on an annual basis.

7Response to Media Enquiries

7.1 All responses to media enquiries should be made by the Media and Stakeholder Engagement Advisor or the appropriate Directoror his/her nominated person.

8Referral to External Agencies

8.1 A decision for a referral to external support agencies will be made according to the nature of the circumstances.

8.2A list of useful contacts is provided at Appendix 1.

Appendix 1

Useful Contacts

Eastern Health and Social Services Board
Health Promotion Unit
12-22 Linenhall Street
BELFAST
Telephone 028 9032 1313
Fax 028 9023 3020
Eastern Health and Social Services Board
Shaftesbury Square Hospital
Great Victoria Street
Telephone 028 9032 9808
The Health Promotion Agency
18 Ormeau Avenue
BELFAST
Telephone 028 9031 1611
Fax 028 9031 1711
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Drugs Squad
Donegall Pass PSNI Station
Telephone 028 9065 0222
Lifeline0808 808 8000
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