In previous briefing papers, Mentor looked at the impact of new psychoactive substances on public health and drugs education. Schools and practitioners should also update their drugs policy to take account of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
Every school’s drugs policy should include new psychoactive substances (NPS), formerly known as “legal highs,” as these drugs have had harmful effects on young people and some school communities. Schools have a statutory obligation to protect the welfare of their students, so they must maintain accountability by updating their drugs policy accordingly, particularly considering increasing numbers of school exclusions related to drugs and alcohol.
These briefing papers are part of a series produced by Mentor-ADEPIS on alcohol and drug education and prevention, for teachers and practitioners.
Other resources you may find interesting:
- School-based alcohol and drug education and prevention – what works?
- Preventing Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Substance Misuse Problems
- Psychoactive Substances – What schools need to know about the new law
- Life-skills based education for alcohol and drug prevention
- Delivering alcohol and drug education: advice for teachers
- Building resilience and character in young people
- Making it inclusive: Alcohol and drug education in multicultural settings
- ‘Legal Highs’ and Novel Psychoactive Substances
- Four questions to ask as school governor
