AQUINAS COLLEGE POLICY                        APPROVED AT BOARD MEETING: 27.03.2014                                                                                                                                                  TO BE REVIEWED: 2017

POLICY 5.1       ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL DRUGS POLICY

 RATIONALE:

Aquinas College supports families and students through education to have a healthy respect for themselves and others in a positive lifestyle.  The Special Character of Aquinas College has family and truth as two of its six touchstones and these two values are vital in relation to student behaviour and self discipline.  Students are exposed to drug and alcohol use in their daily lives.

Drug education involves two key aspects.  Firstly, it involves knowledge of drugs and an understanding of their effects on the body and mind.  Secondly, it involves the social effects of drugs on the individual, the family and society in general.  It is considered appropriate that the school should deal with both aspects in drug education

Touchstone: Family, Joy, Truth, Scholarship.

Document Link: Policy 5.2 – Search and Seizure 5.11 Student Behaviour, Respect and Resilience

PURPOSE:

 Aquinas College is to provide a safe physical and emotional environment

GUIDELINES:

 Aquinas College is committed to ensuring an alcohol and drug free learning environment.

• Aquinas College is a Smokefree school.
• Aquinas College will not permit the use of alcohol by enrolled students on school grounds at any time, or any school related event. Alcohol may be consumed by adults, in the staffroom or hospitality suite with the permission of the Principal or delegated nominate, or on specified occasions.
• Aquinas College is a drug free school. Drugs may not be brought on site, sold, purchased, exchanged nor used at any time in the school grounds, or at school related events.
• The College provides education, information, and resources to increase knowledge and understanding of students and staff about drug and alcohol issues.
• Aquinas College provides guidance and support for family/whanau about drug and alcohol issues and referral to agencies.
• Aquinas College reserves the right to conduct periodic search and seizure

PROCEDURES:

 The consequences for involvement with tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs are viewed as a serious misbehaviour and dealt with as per Student behaviour, respect and resilience, search and seizure policies

• All students participate in programmes outlined in the Health Scheme.
• The college provides the following resources:
  1. The Health Scheme which includes Smoking, Marijuana, Alcohol and Illegal Drugs, Driver Education including Drink/Driving
  2. FADE and other relevant resources
  3. The Guidance Network of the College and Parent meetings and newsletter
• Smoking is not permitted on the school grounds or any school related event.
• If individual students are identified as needing help in this area, Deans or relevant persons determine most appropriate action (noting the confidentiality of the School Counsellor)
• Parents are involved, wherever possible, Principal role to consult and contact Police if necessary
• Students may be required to undertake drug testing at their cost at college request and may be required to

undergo counselling/rehab.

• Advice and procedures advocated by the Police in relation to Illegal Drugs and Alcohol will be followed.