11.6          Drug Abuse

School Boards of Management, like the community generally, are becoming more and more concerned about the alarming increase in the use of illegal drugs.

Clearly, there is a widespread need for drugs education programmes in schools. As well as tackling the general drugs problem, through a preventative programme, schools may also have to deal with specific problems such as drug pushing, possession of drugs and drug usage.

It is advisable that Boards of Management should have a well developed policy to deal with these issues.

It is not sufficient to have a policy of expelling a student who is involved in a drug-related incident. The consequences of such an expulsion might be more damaging than beneficial. If, for instance, the student who is expelled becomes a dealer and starts selling to other students, the consequences may be very serious. Thought and consideration must be given to alternative sanctions and interventions, e.g. the school could insist that the student attends regular counselling sessions.

In practical situations there are certain interventions which are necessary, e.g. where a student is found in possession of illegal drugs, the drugs should be confiscated. It is permissible to take possession of illegal drugs so as to prevent their use. Such drugs should be handed over to the Gardaí.

Many schools are reluctant to discuss drugs policies with parents in case it conveys to parents that the school has a drugs problem. This is a common dilemma for schools which should be addressed, as parents can prove to be valuable allies of a school in affecting a good drugs prevention programme.