UPWEY TECOMA
FOOTBALL & NETBALL CLUB
ILLEGAL DRUG POLICY
The
Upwey Tecoma Football & Netball Club understands and accepts it has
a duty of care to provide a safe and healthy environment, free of illegal
drugs. This policy reflects a commitment by the club to the health, safety and
welfare of all its members.
This
policy has been approved by the committee
of UTFNCat its meeting of 13.03.2009
The
UTFNC is committed to:
· Encouraging
and assisting members to realise their full potential within an environment
that actively promotes their health, safety and well-being
· Preventing
alcohol and other drug related harm to individuals, property and the reputation
of the club
· Ensuring
a supportive and inclusive environment for all members
· Providing
support to members who wish to address their patterns of alcohol and/or illegal
drug use
· Meeting
legal requirements in relation to alcohol and illegal drugs
· Encouraging
moderation and a responsible attitude to the consumption of alcohol
Purpose
The
purpose of this policy is to ensure club members understand the club’s position
regarding illegal drugs and explain how the club will respond to a drug-related
incident within its jurisdiction.
Definitions
· Illegal drugs
Illegal drugs are used by many people in the community, including young
adults, so it is likely that some members of our club will have access to them.
Currently there are two distinct but related illegal drug issues confronting
sporting clubs:
· performance enhancing
drugs
· illegal drugs used
for social purposes (e.g. at parties, raves, in the home, at the club, etc).
These two categories are not mutually exclusive. Some illegal drugs used
for social purposes (such as amphetamines, e.g. speed) may be used to enhance
sporting performance.
· Club jurisdiction
The Club jurisdiction extends to the club
premises and all activities organised by or for the club at any location or
venue.
· Application
This policy applies to all members,
employees, supporters and visitors of the UTFNC Members and employees should
ensure they do not attend the club if adversely affected by illegal drugs
and/or alcohol.
· Club confidant
The Club will designate an appropriate individual
to act as the ‘Club confidant’. This person may, but does not have to be the Club President or another office bearer
and will
be responsible for the management of all illegal drug related incidents.
The Club will support this person to carry
out their duties whenever required.
Illegal
Drug Use
The possession, use, distribution or selling of illegal drugs for
any purposes on club premises or at any function or activity organised by the
club is prohibited.
· In the
case of an incident involving an illegal drug, the initial actions and
responses will focus on the safety and welfare of those directly and indirectly
involved. All responses and actions will reflect the club’s duty of care to
members, visitors and all other people.
· The club will
investigate all apparent or alleged breaches of this policy and determine a
course of action after all relevant facts and circumstances are known.
· The
club may refer a member who is involved in illegal drug use to a medical or
health service for assistance or, if the club deems it necessary in the
circumstances, to the police.
Managing
illegal drug incidents
Where a
club member becomes aware that illegal drug use is occurring at the club or
within its jurisdiction, the member should pass on this information to the
President and/or Club confidant. Should the need arise, the Club will sanction
the individual(s) in line with the club’s rules and policies.
The Club confidant
will;
o Speak to the
individual(s) in private, expressing concern about their drug use
o Remind the
individual(s) of the club policy and asked for a commitment that it will not
happen again
o Offer options for
support and referral for counselling or other help
o Leave the door open
for further communication with the individual(s) concerned.
o Inform the Club
President in the event of non-compliance
· If an individual(s) is under the influence of a legal or illegal drug at
the club, the club will;
o Ensure the health and safety of the individual(s)
o Keep the individual under supervision and monitor them
at regular intervals
o Call for medical assistance if required.
o Arrange safe transport to take them home, unless this
involves further risk.
o Take control of any remaining drugs in their
possession, unless this involves further risk.
o If the person becomes violent or aggressive, contact
police to ensure the safety of all.
o Inform the Club President (and Club confidant) as soon
as possible.
Drugs
found at the club or in the possession of an individual
· If
illegal drugs are found at the club or in the possession of an individual, the
President and/or Club confidant will be contacted as soon as possible.
The Club will:
o Take possession of
the drug if safe to do so.
o Place the drug in a clean (preferably “snap lock”)
plastic bag.
o Seal the plastic bag with masking tape to ensure it
stays closed.
o The finder and/or club president should sign and date
the tape/bag.
o Record details in an incident register.
o Contact local police and request they attend the club
to collect the drugs.
o Store the plastic bag
in a secure place until collected by police.
o Obtain the signature
of attending police for the incident register to show the drugs have
been taken into their possession.
o Ask the person suspected to be in possession of the
drugs to leave the premises immediately (assuming it is safe for them to do
so), if they deny possessing drugs or refuse to relinquish possession of the
drugs to the club.
Supplying
Illegal drugs
· If
it is suspected or known that a member is supplying illegal drugs to other
members of the club, the Club confidant will;
o Speak to the
individual to determine if they are supplying illegal drugs to others.
o If this is verified,
or there is a strong belief this is occurring, the club will contact Crime
Stoppers on 1300 333 000.
o If it is unable to be
verified, the club will monitor the situation and warn the individual that the
matter will be reported to the police if the club has continued concerns.
Privacy
· Subject to its right to contact the police if
necessary, the Club will maintain the privacy of those involved where possible
· The Club will act with discretion when absolute
confidentiality cannot be guaranteed
· Club personnel will be informed on a need to know
basis only
Contacting parents
· In the interests of health and safety, the Club will
contact the parents or guardian of a minor where apparent or suspected illegal
drug use has occurred (unless by doing so it will place the safety of the
individual at risk of greater harm)
· The Club will inform all members aged under 18 years
that parents will be notified if the club is aware (or strongly believes) they
are using or supplying illegal drugs.
· If the member is aged over 18 years, the club will
determine each case on its merits and decide whether contacting parents or
guardian is in the best interests of the individual.
Contacting police
· If the Club is aware that a member is supplying
illegal drugs to other members, they will notify Crime Stoppers of this
activity
· In the case of apparent or alleged illegal drug use,
the club may report a person to, or seek the advice of the police
Medical
emergency
The
Club understands that medical assistance may be required if a person has been
using drugs.
Media
· The Club will designate a club official to communicate with the media on
behalf of the club should the need arise
· The Club may seek advice from the league/association prior to
communicating with the media
· No other member of the club will communicate with the media on this
issue, unless specifically requested by the club official
Non-compliance
All
club committee members will enforce the illegal drug policy and any
non-compliance will be handled according to the following process:
· The
designated Club confidant (and President) will be informed of the breach of
policy
· The
individual(s) concerned will be reminded of the club policy
· Issue
a warning of future sanctions for continued non-compliance
The
Club confidant and President will use their discretion as to the action taken
for non-compliance, based on:
· Whether
it involved use or supply
· Whether
the use or supply takes place within the club’s jurisdiction or in private
· Age
of the persons involved
In
general, and depending on any other rules of the club, should an individual(s)
continue non-compliance with this policy, the following will occur;
· suspension
for a designated time period
· expulsion
from the club.
Policy
review
This
policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant to club operations
and reflects both community expectations and legal requirements.
