A Fairfax Media article has reported on NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) data which shows that drug-related offences in NSW schools are at their highest in more than a decade.

The numbers

The article reported the following key statistics:

• there was an average of 1.9 incidents per school day in 2014;
• 9 out of 10 incidents occurred during school hours; and
• more than 75% of offences were cannabis-related.

In total, NSW Police were involved in 377 incidents last year, the worst figure recorded since 2008.

A BOCSAR representative confirmed to Fairfax Media that the data included government and non-government schools.

Government response

The NSW Department of Education & Communities (the Department) responded to the data by pointing out that the data ‘captured incidents occurring outside of school hours and persons who are not students.’

The Department also pointed to its ‘Drugs in Schools Policy‘ which requires government schools to plan and execute responses to all drug-related incidents.

Under section 1.3.1 of that policy, ‘schools must be places which are free from illegal drugs’.  Principals have various obligations under that Policy, including an obligation to report incidents involving illegal drugs to the School Safety and Response Hotline on 1300 363 778.

Non-government schools and policies

Although non-government schools are not obliged to implement the Department’s ‘Drugs in Schools Policy’, they are required under the Registered and Accredited Individual Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual, to have policies and procedures in place that provide for student welfare.

Having policies and procedures addressing illicit drug use or posession at school, in addition to having related disciplinary procedures, should be key elements of any school’s student duty of care framework.

A drug education program for staff, students and members of the school community should also be part of every school’s drug management program.

Should schools do more?

Aside from having policies, procedures and education programs in place, should schools be doing more to help manage, and prevent, drug use or posession amongst its students?

According to Father Chris Riley, founder of Youth off the Streets, the answer to that question is ‘yes’.

Fairfax Media quotes Father Riley as saying that schools and principals should be dong more, pointing to a ‘real gap in education’ and recommending that every school must have a counsellor who deals with drug and alcohol issues.

Whether or not this is a realistic suggestion, in light of funding and resource considerations experienced by schools, will be a decision for non-government schools to be made by principals on a school by school basis.  However, the important role that schools can play in educating students on drug use (illicit and non-illicit) cannot be underestimated, as explained in our previous article ‘Renewed focus on drug educatioin in schools‘.

Schools should also be cognisant of the relationship between student illicit drug use and mental health conditions.

The important role that staff can play in recognising student behaviour that might indicate a mental health condition may also be important as a detector of related substance abuse issues.

Worryingly, the lack of teacher time to address student mental health issues might also mean that other matters, such as potential drug use, are also going unrecognised.

Does your school have a drug and alcohol policy?