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TITLE: Drug and Substance Abuse Policy
Policy Number / DRAFT - 0082
Effective Date
Developed / 2011
APPROVAL
  1. INTRODUCTION

Drug and Substance Abuse Policy is a guideline for students’ register with Waterberg FET College for teaching and learning only.

  1. DECLARATION OF INTENT

Drugs destroy lives and communities, sustainable human development and generate crime. Drug and alcohol abuse affects the freedom and development of young people, the world’s most valuable assets.

Worldwide adolescence and young adulthood are the periods most associated with the onset of illicit drug use. Earlier use of a drug is in correlation with more intense use of a drug at a later stage, establishing a pattern with life long consequences. The longer initiation into drug use can be delayed, the less likely it is to begin.

In the light of the problems associated with the presence of drug and alcohol abuse in our institutions, it is imperative for WATERBERG FET College to introduce a sound alcohol and drug abuse policy. WATERBERG FET College considers a safe and disciplined learning environment as one of the critical elements to the successful delivery of quality education and recognizes the role played by drugs in seriously undermining this.

The College shall at all times act within the framework of National Legislation and policy in this matter and recognize that, alcohol and Drug abuse threatens to destroy the social the social fabric of the Nation. Nothing impacts the well being of the country and the way alcohol and drug abuse does because it is embedded in every other social problems we face. Not least among them accidents, suicide, prostitution, organised crime, absenteeism, poor production and the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.

  1. OBJECTIVE

To provide a fair and justifiable basis for dealing with alcohol and drug abuse in the College, with due consideration for the welfare and interest of all stakeholders.

The key thrust of this policy is to help and support not only those students who abuse drugs, but also the majority of students who do not use drugs, but who may be affected by others, while assisting and supporting students with a drug problem. As long as they are prepared to co-operate with educators and other professionals involved in the treatment and rehabilitation process.

The policy therefore seeks to contribute towards effective prevention management, ensuring that effective programmes and drug education are available providing students with the correct facts, warning them of the risks and helping them to develop the skills and attitudes to resist drug misuse.

In all instances, it should be interpreted to ensure a supportive environment, ever mindful of the rights of students with drug abuse or dependency problems, as well as the rights of other students, educators and other members of the institution.

  1. TERMINOLOGY

ABUSE
DRUG
ILLICIT/ILLEGAL DRUG
INHALANTS
IMAGE AND PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS
PHARMACEUTICALS
PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE
EXPERIMENTATION
USE/OCCASIONAL USE
DEPENDENCE
PREVENTION
RELAPSE
RELAPSE PREVENTION
STRUCTURED INTERVENTION
REINTEGRATION INTO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
RANDOM DRUG / The persistent or sporadic excessive drug use inconsistent with or unrelated to acceptable medical practice.
A substance that produces a psychoactive effect. In this policy the term drug is used generically to include tobacco and herbal cigarettes, pharmaceutical drugs (prescribed and over the counter), illicit drug, image and performance enhancing substances and inhalants and other volatile substances.
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.
Substances inhaled for their effect such as glue, thinners, petrol, aerosol sprays, pint, solvent etc
A range of substances, some illicit others not, used to enhance sporting or athleticromance body image, such as anabolic sterolds.
Prescription and over the counter drugs available form a pharmacy. It is illegal to possess or use some of these or use some of these without a prescription
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.
First time or infrequent use.
Infrequent/occasional
Misuses/problematic use: regular, if infrequent, use with damaging consequences.
A Person is dependant on a drug or alcohol hen it becomes very difficult or even impossible for him/her to refrain from taking the drug/alcohol without help, after having taken it regularly for a period of time. The dependence may be physical or psychological or both.
Prevention is a proactive process that empowers individuals and systems to meet the challenges of life’s events and transitions by creating and reinforcing conditions that promote healthy behaviour and lifestyles. It generally requires three level of actions: Primary prevention (focuses on altering the individual and the environment in such a way as to reduce the initial risk of developing substance abuse),Secondary prevention (focuses on early identification of persons who are at risk developing substance abuse and intervening such a way as to arrest progress);and Tertiary prevention (focuses treatment of the person who has developed a drug dependency)
When a person has been abstinent for a period and start using drugs again.
Procedures to help a person in recovery from dependency to remain abstinent.
A controlled crisis where the user is confronted with the desperate reality of his or her situation and offered treatment.
Procedures for (re)engaging and supporting learners and educators in school attendance following a drug related interruption to their education/career.
Picking people at random to be tested (usually urine) for the presence of drug in the body.
  1. THE FOLLOWING POLICIES AND DIRECTIVES ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
  2. Governing Prescripts

Notice 3427 of 2002 Department of Education promulgation of National Policy on the management of Drug Abuse by learners in public and independent schools and further education and training institutions.

The National Drug Master Plan was prepared by the Drug Advisory Board at the request of the Minister for Welfare and Population Development

5.2.Guiding Principles

It is the Department of Education’s intention that all South African public, independent schools and further education and training institutions become tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug-free Zones (Government Gazette nr.24172)

The possessions, use or distribution of illegal drugs, and the inappropriate possession, use or distribution of legal drugs, including alcohol, is prohibited in the College and this message should be delivered clearly and consistently within our College community.

5.3.Waterberg FET College Policies and Procedures must be clearly communicated and disseminated in a culturally appropriate and inclusive way and will give priority to:

5.3.1.Developing a safe and supportive environment that values human dignity.

5.3.2.Educating the entire College community regarding drugs and the abusethereof.

5.3.3.Developing a range of responses, for managing drug related incidents withthe Colleges, taking into account confidentially, the nature of the incident, the circumstances of the students involved, and the needs andsafety of the College community.

5.3.4.Building capacity by giving lectures, particularly those working with drugrelated incidents, access to professional development opportunities,provided by Provincial Departments of Education, other GovernmentDepartments or private providers.

5.3.5.Regular monitoring and evaluation of polices and procedures for managingdrug related incidents in College.

All information relating drug use or dependency by a student should be treated as confidential. In the case of student/guardians should be formed and involved at the earliest possible opportunity in any attempts to assist the student. Where reports are required by the College from the treatment team as apart of relapse prevention programme, relapse prevention programme, these should be furnished, with the students written permission, solicited in the presence of a parent/guardian Where the student refuses to co-operate College disciplinary procedures should be involved.

The need for the confidentially cannot and should prevent identification and prosecution of drug dealers and pushers.

In case of disclosure, lectures and students should be given support to handle confidentially issues and be prepared to handle such disclosures. In certain circumstances where the safety of the students of lecturer may be risk, limited disclosure is acceptable to a specific lecturer. This is specifically in institutions where the student is operating machines or other potentially dangerous apparatus.

  1. EDUCATION AND PREVENTION

6.1.Education (Students):

6.1.1.The objective of prevention education is to negate, counteract or delay the likelihood of experimentation with drugs by providing information about the dangers of their use and misuse, as well as to encourage those who are experiencing problems to get the help they need.

6.1.2.The College should provide knowledge in a balanced, on-judgemental and objective manner. Knowledge should be relevant to the age and sex of the learners, taking into account the realities of the world they live in and the challenges they face.

6.1.3.Parents and guardians: Education and information on drug use, misuse and dependency as wellas the policy of the College concerning drug abuse should be made available to all parents/guardians of students, as well as students themselves, upon first registration at the College. The College need a regularly interact with parents/guardians on drug abuse through workshops and information sharing sessions.

6.1.4.Service Providers: The College should, as far as possible, involve outside organisations specializing in drug education and intervention and other associated programmes to augment the education provided by the College.

6.2.Prevention:

6.2.1.This includes providing knowledge and skills and creating awareness. It also looks at creating an understanding of the consequences following the choices that are made. Providing alternatives and promoting the advantages of making informed choices that will have important implications for students at present and in the future. Prevention focuses on stopping the high risk behaviour either before it starts or before it does too much damage. Reinforcing positive peer group pressure is an important focus in prevention.

6.2.2.Early identification: Trouble behaviour is often obvious to lectures, even though they may not know or understand the reason. Research has indicated that long before a student starts experimenting with drugs, there are signs that indicate they are early troubled and which can lead to high risk behaviour. Although a single event (unless you physically apprehend a student in a high-risk situation) does not justify action, it should be noted, as it can help you to establish a pattern eventually.

6.2.3.Providing Life Skills development programmes: this is an important role the College should fulfil in collaboration with parents and the community. Drugs, Sex and HIV/AIDS are real issues that learners come across, often with no accurate knowledge and very little skill. The skills included in such a programme include building relationships, resisting pressure by using a variety of communication styles (including assertiveness), awareness and self-confidence. Knowledge, skills and attitudes can change behaviour and promote healthy living, which includes avoiding and/or managing high-risk and behaviour.

  1. INTERVENTION:
  2. Once troubled behaviour has been identified, it is very important to follow it up in a calm and informed way. Information about community recourses should be readily available and learners must be referred for assistance.
  3. Each case will be considered on its merits taking into account:
  4. The nature of the incident
  5. The student’s academic and family history
  6. Cultural background
  7. Mental Health and intellectual ability
  8. Any other relevant information
  9. The College will support students who want of need help, through an approach that is both restorative and supportive.
  10. Students who have experienced or are experiencing problems as a result of alcohol and drug use, misuse or dependency and accept treatment, will be entitled to appropriate assistance, and should not be denied the opportunity to receive an education or the right to reintegration into the same College community. However, if such reintegration is deemed by College management to be detrimental to the safety and discipline of the College, the student should be assisted in finding an alternative elsewhere.
  11. In cases where the students does not wish to make use of such help offered to him or her, or is found guilty of dealing in drugs the College will have no choice but to take the necessary disciplinary action, which may include suspension or expulsion, as determined by relevant legislation. These measures should be integrated into a structured intervention involving the student and the parent/guardian to encourage compliance allowing the student to be suspended pending enrolment in an appropriate rehabilitation of relapse prevention programme.
  1. DRUG SCREENING/TESTING

By its very nature, drug testing is an invasion of privacy and may infringe the constitutional and personal rights of students it should therefore not be the first point of intervention.

Random drug testing is prohibited. There is no empirical evidence or justification for routine random testing students, to reduce usage. Drug testing should be used where there is reasonable suspicion that a student is using drugs. Testing must be implemented as a part of a structured intervention or relapse prevention programme in an environment that is committed to College policy, medical/treatment procedures and ethical guidelines. The results of the testing cannot be made public but can be shared with the student’s parent orguardian.

  1. SEARCHES

Random searches of individuals are prohibited. Searches of students can only be carried out by persons of the same gender as part of a structured intervention in a decent and orderly manner, if there is reasonable suspicion that the student is in possession of prohibited substance. Should a search be necessary, it should take place in the presence of the student concerned, a person of their choice to support them and a second adult witness of the same gender.

  1. COLLEGE MANAGEMENT PLAN
  2. Role of Smart Partners

College communities do not operate in a vacuum, they are surrounded by communities, and thus it is important that in developing and executing Drug and Alcohol management programmes, the College utilize the available community recourses.

In order to achieve this, the following must happen:

Each College must identify smart partners that are available in their community.

Smart partners may include Health Clinics, Non-Governmental Organisations, South African Police Services, Churches, Youth Organisations, Social Development and Justice and Department of Health.

10.2.Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct adopted for student at the College should include adequate provision regarding College Policy and procedure on drug use, misuse dependency.

  1. IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS POLICY ON DRUG USE, MISUSE AND DEPENDENCY

The implementation of this policy will be in accordance with the National Policy Drug Master and the National Policy on the management of Drug abuse of the Department of Education and will cascade through the various levels within the College Management system.

  1. REGULAR REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed regularly and adopted when and if necessary, to reflect changed circumstances.

Printed copies of all QMS documents are uncontrolled. The latest revision is available on the College website: .