GUIDANCE NOTES
for Church Youth Leaders on Drugs Related Issues
The aim of this page is to provide a handy reference guide for all Church Youth group leaders who may be faced with drugs related incidents or who may be wanting to look at the issue of drugs within their youth club programme.
 Drugs are now so widely available and used that children of all ages are liable to become aware of them and therefore need to be appropriately informed about them. As Christians we have an additional perspective to offer on this issue, namely that each of us is made in the image of God and that each of us is offered God's unconditional love and acceptance.
You may wish, as part of your annual programme to look at this issue in the context of a Bible Study. Help with relevant material can be obtained by contacting the Diocesan Youth Officer.
 We also suggest that youth leaders should make themselves aware of conversations that may be taking place amongst youth group members, about this issue, and to initiate relevant discussions when appropriate, remembering that any such discussions need to be handled sensitively. Please also remember that for some individual young people this may be an issue that directly affects them, either through their own personal drug use or that of a family member or close friend.
We would encourage Church Youth groups to adopt a policy, endorsed by their PCC, which they can follow in the event of an incidence of drug usage occurring within the Youth Club setting and offer the following as an example:
What to do if a drugs related incident occurs.
- If you suspect that drugs are being used on your premises you obviously have the right to search the premises. You should not search young people or their private property without their consent. If a young person refuses consent you may call in the police to carry out a search.
- If you discover illegal substances on your premises you do have the right to confiscate them but you must then either hand them over to the police or dispose of them safely in the presence of a witness and record that you have done so.
- If there is any cause for concern at all over the young person's health then medical assistance should be sought immediately.
- If a young person is clearly under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances we would recommend that a parent/guardian is called. If such a person cannot be contacted, we would suggest that you contact either the police or a duty Social Worker for advice. Your drugs policy should clearly state what action you will take in the event of such an incidence and all young people and their parents should be made aware of this policy.
- If you are unsure as to whether or not a young person is under the influence of such substances it will be advisable to try to find out from their friends whether or not they have taken anything. You will need to emphasise that they are not 'grassing' someone up and that they are not going to get into trouble for speaking, but that you are concerned for the young person's safety.
- If a young person wishes to disclose information about illegal drugs they should be told that the youth leaders cannot guarantee confidentiality on this issue.
You obviously have the right to exclude from your premises a young person who you believe is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, you will need to keep in mind that young person's safety, and if a young person is under the influence of such substances it will almost always be in his/her best interests to remain on the premises, where you can obtain appropriate assistance for him/her.
Further Information / Advice can be obtained from:
| DASH | 01432 263636 | | Hereford Family Drug Support | 01981 251155 | | National Drugs Helpline | 0800 77 66 00 | | Drugscope | 020 7928 1211 | | Alcohol Concern | 0207 928 7377 |
Mark Inglis, Diocesan Youth Participation Project Officer, (01432 373330) and Jackie Boys, Diocesan Social Responsibility Officer, (01432 373311) are happy to advise on drugs education resources and to help with information on appropriate training/programme planning.
Research has shown that drugs education can be successful in at least delaying the onset of experimentation with drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, and that the earlier a young person experiments, the more likely they are to develop a habit of harmful drug misuse or drug dependency.
Research has also shown that drugs education programmes based on fear arousal are far less likely to be successful than a programme that focuses on the development of life skills, including the development of self esteem, self awareness, and decision making skills, and encourages young people to make informed choices about whether or not to take drugs.
A recent survey* commissioned by the Home Office showed that 34% of 14-15 year olds, 43% of 15-16 year olds and 49% of 16-17 year olds had used illegal drugs. Herefordshire as a county has a high rate of drug usage and has the highest rate of heroin usage in the West Midlands. Up to date figures for drug usage in South Shropshire are not available, but are likely to be similar.
*Source: Drugscope/GB Crime Survey 2001 Home Office
This page has been produced by the Drugs Education Task Group, which was set up by the Hereford Diocesan Board of Education in February 2001.
Much of the information contained within this page is taken from Paper No 53; 'Pupil Behaviour and Discipline' produced by the National Association of Governors and Managers.
|
