Preamble
There can be no doubt that pupils in South African schools are being targeted as potential drug users through powerful and highly sophisticated international, national and local drug syndicates. The European and American drug markets are saturated, while the South African market is open and exploitable.
A pupil's purchase, sale, use or possession of illegal drugs is contrary to the rules of the school.
As we are unable to control the supply of drugs, we believe we must assist parents in their efforts to control the demand, and to protect the general body of our pupils. As young people, our pupils are most vulnerable and may therefore be targeted by dealers. Substantial pressures are exerted and, unfortunately, increasing numbers of young people are succumbing with sometimes disastrous consequences for the person concerned, her family and her school.
The availability of drugs is a key issue. Pupils no longer need to seek out drugs. Drugs are a current social reality.
Drug usage impacts negatively on a pupil's opportunity to learn as all drugs damage the cognitive capability of the user.
Recognizing the above, the Board of Governors of St Mary's has issued the following statement:
"There is pressure on some pupils at most schools to take drugs.
It is St Mary's intention
- to act against pupils who take drugs
- to act against pupils who contribute to that pressure
- to assist pupils to resist that pressure
- to encourage the rehabilitation of pupils addicted to drugs.
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Testing
St Mary's will therefore introduce drugs testing on a random basis. Random tests will be conducted across all pupils of susceptible age in a fair and impartial way.
In every case, confidentiality will be ensured, with only the testing agency and the Principal or her nominee coming into possession of test results.
No pupil will be tested against her will.
Where a pupil tests positive for drugs, both she and her parents will be advised and proposals will be made for her rehabilitation. A failure or refusal to
co-operate in a rehabilitation programme or a breach of that programme will result in disciplinary action against her.
Where a pupil undergoes a rehabilitation programme but fails to be rehabilitated, disciplinary action will be taken against her.
Disciplinary action will be taken against any pupil who seeks to influence another pupil to take drugs or supplies drugs to any pupil, or to any other person, or who bullies or seeks to influence any pupil who provides information about another pupil's drug taking or related behaviour.
In each case of disciplinary action, it is likely to lead to expulsion. St Mary's cannot allow a drug taker's continued presence at school (other than in the course of a conscientiously undertaken programme of rehabilitation), if only because she might corrupt other pupils.
For all purposes "drugs" includes any drug the use or possession of which may lead to a conviction under criminal law.
No distinction will be drawn between a pupil's conduct in or out of school.
St Mary's has detailed rules for drugs testing which parents and pupils are at liberty to inspect.
In these difficult times, parents and guardians are asked to be alert to pupils' behaviour out of school hours. They are welcome to discuss the subject of drugs with the Principal."
At St Mary's the following procedure will be followed:
- Pupils will be randomly selected.
- Pupils will be asked for consent to testing. Parents have already given consent by signing the contract.
- If consent has been refused, the pupil concerned will not be tested. No replacement pupil will be called as that would compromise the randomness of the sample.
- In the event of the absence of a pupil who has been randomly selected, no replacement pupil will be called. Absentees will be tested with the next sample at the next testing time.
- Selected pupils will be advised by their Grade HOD and directed to the sanatorium for testing by an independent tester.
- All procedures necessary will be implemented to avoid any possible contamination of samples taken from the pupils who present themselves for testing.
- The samples will be tested then and there and the results conveyed directly to the Principal. Strict confidentiality will be observed.
- In the event of a pupil's testing positive, the Principal - or a designated deputy
- will advise the pupil and her parents together.
- No disciplinary action will be taken at this point. It is vital that both the pupil and her parents understand that the rationale behind the drug testing is very much to protect the interests of the pupil. Empathy and understanding will be shown and advice and support will be given.
- The parents will be required to arrange counselling for their daughter and advice in this regard will be offered by the school. The pupil will then be required to undergo
follow-up testing. The timing of the testing will depend on the substance involved. The cost of the counselling and the
follow-up testing will be borne by the pupil's parents. If the pupil tests positive again, or if the pupil is
unco-operative, or is not making progress in rehabilitation, she will become subject to disciplinary procedure.
- Records of all drug testing results and permission slips will be kept, in confidence, by the Principal. The Principal will not make any public disclosure of test results.
Conclusion
It is imperative that the pupils see the drug testing as a constructive measure which has been implemented in order to help them to say no to drugs, and to provide them with an environment in which they can learn and develop optimally.
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The school cannot guarantee that there will be an overseas tour every year, with the three disciplines (sport/music/cultural) alternating. Parents will be informed of a forthcoming tour at least one year in
advance. The reason for prescribing a policy of alternating years is to prevent conflict and not to guarantee a tour.
At present, a sports tour to Australasia is planned for 2009.
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