Rationale

Christchurch Boys’ High School has a strategic priority of ensuring a health and safety environment where the wellbeing of our boys and staff enables them to thrive. This policy supports this priority.

For the purposes of the policy:

• A drug is defined as being controlled drugs, volatile substances (such as petrol, solvents and inhalants) and other substances used for psycho-active effects, recreation, or enhancement, as well as prescription and pharmacy-only drugs used outside medical or pharmaceutical advice;

• Tobacco includes tobacco products and vapes and e-cigarettes, or similar products;

• Jurisdiction of the school includes when on school property or at any activity/trip/function/event associated with the school, irrespective of whether this is on school property; and when in uniform or on the way to and from school. It also includes any other situation in which a connection to the business of the school can be made.

• The things which a person has in their possession include anything subject to their control which is in the custody of another.

Goals

• To discourage all detrimental drug, alcohol, tobacco and vaping use. To create an environment where students are educated about the impact of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vaping and also drug, alcohol, tobacco and vaping issues.

• To assist staff and students to resist the pressures to use drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vaping, and to support people who wish to quit drug, alcohol, tobacco and vaping use.

• To comply with the requirements of relevant legislation on tobacco and alcohol use in school settings as contained within the Sale and Supply of Liquor Act (2012), the Local Government (Alcohol Reform) Amendment Act 2012 and the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990.

Guidelines

1. Christchurch Boys’ High School will not tolerate the use or possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vaping by students while in the jurisdiction of the school.

2. The school will provide staff and students with education about drug and alcohol issues to ensure that students are informed about drugs and related issues, the implications of drug, alcohol, tobacco and vaping use and the possible harm to themselves and the community.

3. The school can provide parents with education about the impact of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vaping and related issues.

4. Students identified as having a problem in any of these areas will be given counselling, and the school will liaise with outside agencies which can provide professional assistance.

5. Students may not be in possession of, under the influence of, using, or dealing in drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vaping or any associated items while under the jurisdiction of the school.

6. Staff are not to consume or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when they have responsibility for students.

7. Staff are to model responsible use of alcohol while in the company of students in other school and non-school related settings.

8. The school may occasionally have a function where the consumption of alcohol may be appropriate. With the prior written approval of the Headmaster, alcohol may be consumed by invited guests and staff in a smoke-free environment.

9. Organisers of functions on school property need to make a request to the Headmaster if they wish to serve alcohol. The organisers must have this consent before any alcohol is served. The Headmaster will consider:

   • the nature and purpose of the event

   • the location of the event.

   • the nature and level of supervision

   • the aims and purposes of the alcohol policy and host responsibility\

   • the need for an application for a Special Licence if alcohol is to be sold or supplied. It is noted that this application process takes a minimum of 20 days.

10. Private hirers of the school hall or property must adhere to the school’s guidelines if providing alcohol.

11. No student of the school (including those aged 18 years or over) shall be involved in the selling or serving of alcohol at an activity/trip/function/event associated with the school, irrespective of whether on school property.

12. Alcohol Purchases are usually for the consumption by invited guests and staff at School hosted events. The amount expended needs to be demonstrably reasonable and appropriate for the event and should be sufficient for moderate consumption only.

Student Substance Abuse

1. Controlled Drugs

   1. No person shall, while under the jurisdiction of the school:

      1. be under the influence of;

      2. have in their possession;

      3. use;

      4. sell or supply; or

      5. purchase or receive; any controlled drug as the term defined in Section 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 or any amendment thereto, or conspire to do any of (a) to (e) as listed above.

2. Other Substances

   1. No person shall, while under the jurisdiction of the school:

      1. be under the influence of;

      2. have in their possession;

      3. use; otherwise than for the purpose intended by the manufacturer, any substance or thing which when inhaled, imbibed or taken in any way has the effect or is capable of having the effect of modifying the taker's behaviour or conspire to do any of (a) to (c) as listed above.

3. Alcohol

   1. No student (including those students aged 18 years and over) or person shall, while under the jurisdiction of the school:

      1. be under the influence of;

      2. have in their possession;

      3. use;

      4. sell or supply; or

      5. purchase or receive;

      6. alcohol, or conspire to do any of (a) to (e) as listed above.

4. Tobacco & Vaping

   1. No student shall, while under the jurisdiction of the school:

      1. have in their possession;

      2. use tobacco or vapes or conspire to do either (a) or (b) above.

Approving Authority: Board of Trustees

Date Approved: 17 June 2025

Next Review Date: June 2028