Purpose of the Guide

This Guide to Drug Prevention in the School Environment provides clear guidance to all stakeholders on the school’s policies, expectations, preventive advice, and good practices related to maintaining a safe, healthy, smoke-free, and drug-free learning environment.

It serves as a reference document for staff, students, and parents, outlining shared responsibilities, acceptable conduct, preventive awareness, and support mechanisms. The guide aligns with UAE laws and regulations, as well as the school’s Student Behaviour Policy and Behaviour Management Policy, and reinforces a collective commitment to student well-being.

Scope and Principles

This guide applies to all members of the school community, including staff, students, parents, visitors, and contractors, across:

• School premises
• School transport
• School-related activities, events, and trips

The guide is based on the following principles:

• Student safety, health, and well-being as a priority
• Prevention through awareness, education, and positive role modelling
• Promotion of healthy lifestyle choices and responsible decision-making
• Respect for confidentiality, dignity, and student rights
• Full compliance with UAE laws and regulatory requirements

Roles and Shared Responsibilities

Maintaining a drug-free and smoke-free school environment is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders. Each group plays a vital role in prevention, awareness, and the promotion of healthy habits.

Guidance for Staff

All staff members are expected to:

• Act as positive role models by upholding drug-free and smoke-free behaviours at all times
• Be vigilant and attentive to student behaviour and well-being
• Promote awareness of the risks associated with drugs, smoking, and vaping
• Follow school policies for safeguarding, reporting concerns, and maintaining confidentiality
• Support students through guidance, care, and referral to appropriate support services
• Staff are responsible for ensuring that school rules related to prohibited substances are consistently enforced across classrooms, common areas, school transport, and school-related activities.

Guidance for Students

Students are expected to contribute to a safe and healthy school environment by:

• Refraining from the possession, use, or promotion of drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, vapes, or related substances
• Making responsible and informed choices that support personal health and well-being
• Resisting peer pressure and practising refusal skills
• Seeking help from trusted adults when feeling unsafe or concerned
• Reporting concerns related to substance use in a responsible manner
• Students are encouraged to practise healthy habits, develop positive peer relationships, and engage in activities that support physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Guidance for Parents

Parents play a key role in reinforcing preventive practices at home. Parents are encouraged to:

• Familiarise themselves with the school’s drug-free and smoke-free policies
• Maintain open and age-appropriate communication with their children about substance-related risks
• Monitor changes in behaviour, emotional well-being, or social patterns
• Encourage healthy routines, positive friendships, and responsible use of free time
• Work collaboratively with the school when concerns arise
• Strong home–school communication supports early prevention and consistent messaging for students.

School Procedures Ensuring a Drug-Free and Smoke-Free Environment

The school enforces strict procedures to ensure that the campus remains drug-free and smoke-free at all times. The possession, use, distribution, or promotion of drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, vapes, e-cigarettes, lighters, or related substances is strictly prohibited on:

• School premises
• School buses
• School-related activities and events

Preventive measures include:

• Clear identification of prohibited substances in school policies
• Controlled access and active supervision across the campus
• Authority to search, screen, and confiscate prohibited items when there is reasonable suspicion
• Immediate parent notification and proper documentation of incidents

These measures are supported by continuous awareness programmes and counselling interventions to ensure prevention remains proactive and student-centred.

Procedures for Managing Drug-Related Student Cases

Any drug-related incident is managed with seriousness, care, and confidentiality, following the staged intervention framework outlined in the Student Behaviour Policy and Behaviour Management Policy.

Procedures include:

• Prompt identification, investigation, and documentation of the incident
• Immediate safeguarding actions and risk mitigation
• Referral to school leadership, the counselling team, and the Discipline Committee
• Mandatory counselling and behaviour intervention plans
• Parent meetings and continuous monitoring of student progress
• Serious cases are classified as high-level misconduct and may require reporting to ADEK and relevant authorities, strictly in accordance with UAE laws and regulatory requirements. Throughout the process, student welfare, restorative practices, and rehabilitation are prioritised alongside accountability.

Preventive Education and Promotion of Good Habits

Drug prevention is supported through continuous awareness and the promotion of positive lifestyle choices. The school encourages:

• Participation in well-being, life skills, and values-based programmes
• Development of coping strategies to manage stress and peer pressure
• Engagement in sports, creative activities, and community initiatives
• Access to counselling and guidance services when support is needed
• These preventive approaches aim to empower students to make healthy decisions and build resilience.

Commitment to a Drug-Free School Environment

This guide reflects the school’s firm commitment to maintaining a secure, supportive, smoke-free, and drug-free educational environment. By adhering to school policies, practising healthy habits, and working together as partners, all stakeholders contribute to safeguarding student well-being.

Through awareness, responsibility, and cooperation, the school community supports students in making informed, positive life choices and in developing the skills needed for a healthy and responsible future.