York secondary school teachers have been given a set of new guidelines about how to deal with drug-related incidents.

The guidelines have been drawn up with the aim that pupils across the city should be treated in the same way.

Philippa Mooney, from the City of York drug and alcohol reference group, said there had not been any standard guidance available previously.

So reactions to finding a pupil with drugs or alcohol could range from calling in the police straight away to dealing with the incident there and then without telling colleagues.

The new guidelines, set out by the reference group, ask each school to name one member of staff as its drugs/alcohol co-ordinator and say that all drugs incidents should be reported to him or her.

They set out, step-by-step, what action should be taken in particular circumstances.

For example, if a pupil is found or suspected of being in possession of drugs or alcohol, the substance should be taken away and stored securely as evidence with a witness present before the next stage of the process.

A flow chart setting out the guidance has been produced by the group and copies have been given out to York secondary schools.

Philippa said: "This will clarify a lot of grey areas. The initial assessment deals with the immediate problem and there is a longer-term view of helping the child. It will be a much more comprehensive and supportive way of managing the situation. It is a consistent approach to deal with what realistically may happen."

She said the group had also listed the agencies which could help schools.

"We want them to feel they can use the services available to them - it is all for the welfare of the child, instead of seeing it as a problem situation that has to be hidden."

She said the group was part of the City of York drug action team, which had members from a wide range of organisations including the City of York Council, York NHS Trust and North Yorkshire Health Authority.

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