Drugs policies: guidance and examples

Read DfE advice on writing a drugs policy

The Department for Education (DfE) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) have jointly published non-statutory drugs advice for schools.

Annex A contains a suggested framework for a drugs policy. It lists areas that a drugs policy may cover, including:

• The policy’s development process
• The context of the policy and its relationship to other policies
• Where and to whom the policy applies
• Definitions and terminology
• Management of drugs at school and on school trips
• Police involvement
• Information sharing
• The role of governors

See primary school examples

Community school in Stockton-on-Tees

Tilery Primary School has a drugs and alcohol policy (find this under 'Safeguarding') that includes:

• A definition of a 'drug'
• The roles and responsibilities of staff members
• Details of the school's approach to drugs education

Community school in Coventry

Manor Park Primary School has a drugs and substance misuse policy (find this under 'Safeguarding and Inclusion') which covers:

• Curriculum organisation and planning for drugs education
• The use of external agencies and services
• Managing drug-related incidents

See secondary school examples

Academy in Bracknell Forest

Ranelagh School has a drugs education policy that covers:

• The school’s approach to drugs education
• How the school manages and responds to drug-related incidents 

Academy in Oxfordshire

The drugs policy from The Cherwell School includes:

• An explanation of what a drug-related incident may consist of
• Information about how the school supports pupils
• Information on the right to search