STAGE 5. Defining the action plan

What steps should be completed?

Step 1: Specify intervention actions

INTERVENTIONS RELATED TO DRUG POLICY AND THE CULTURE IN SCHOOLS

In this context, these policies refer to the establishment of standards that limit or prohibit the use of drugs (legal and illegal) both in schools and in activities outside the school but organised for students, teachers and other centre staff. They also establish transparent and non-punitive procedures (or at least not solely punitive) to address possible drug-related incidents at school or in school activities and to convert these into educational opportunities and promote health. They can also focus on promoting active participation by students and their involvement and commitment to the school and its activities.   

Schools that implement these policies usually do so in conjunction with other preventive interventions, such as programmes to teach personal and social skills or improve parenting skills.

There is evidence that establishing this kind of policy helps prevent tobacco use. Introducing changes in the school environment to encourage students’ active participation, commitment to school and positive social relationships, and deter negative behaviours can also reduce drug use and other risky behaviours.

In the case of educational centres for adolescents and young people, such as high schools or universities, introducing policies on drug use can be an effective strategy to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially when this measure is accompanied by brief interventions targeting this objective.

The characteristics below are associated with these interventions functioning well or poorly (lack of effects or negative effects):

GOOD FUNCTIONING

POOR FUNCTIONING

They help the school function well. They support school ethics, and student commitment and participation. They involve all stakeholders (students, teachers, parents and support staff) in defining policies. They clearly establish which substances, places and occasions are covered by the policies established. They apply to the entire community and school environment. They reduce or prevent access to tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. They sanction non-observance of the rules positively (e.g., refer to guidance services), rather than punish. They apply sanctions systematically and without delay. They reinforce compliance with the norms positively, systematically and without delay.

They use testing to detect schoolchildren who use drugs.

 

* Based on International Standards on Drug Use Prevention (UNODC).