Drugs Policy

Winchcombe Conservative Working Men’s Club

Rule 62 of the Club’s constitution specifies that:

“No betting, unlawful gaming, drunkenness, bad language or disorderly conduct will be permitted on the Club premises.

Any infringement of this rule will render the offending member liable to be dealt with by the Committee under rule 38.

It will be the duty of any member of the Committee or member of the Club to take every available means for putting a stop to the offences in question, and to report them forthwith to the Committee through the Secretary.”

Winchcombe Conservative Working Men’s Club’s Committee believes that we need to work towards creating a safe Club environment where we can develop the skills and attitudes necessary to cope with drug related problems.

All Club members and their guests must follow the law when it comes to illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco and must display a good example, particularly when dealing with underage customers. This policy will apply to all users of the Club’s buildings and grounds.

Definition of Drugs:

For the purpose of this policy the term “drug” will include all mood altering substances, both legal and illegal and involve substances such as:

  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco
  • “Over the counter” medicines such as paracetamol, anti-histamines, cough medicines etc.
  • Prescribed drugs such as antibiotics, inhalers, painkillers etc.
  • Volatile substances such as aerosols, glues, petrol, cigarette lighter fuels etc.
  • Products and substances sold online and in “headshops” that cause intoxication.
  • Controlled drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy, amphetamines, magic mushrooms, cocaine, heroin etc.

 Aims and Objectives:

The aim of this policy is to ensure that all Club members are kept safe from drug-related harm when within the Club.

Our objectives are…

  • To develop a consistent approach to drug-related problems to be adopted by all Club members.
  • To develop procedures and rules related to drug-related problems within the Club.
  • To establish clear procedures for managing specific incidents of suspected drug misuse.

List of Actions

Winchcombe Conservative Working Men’s Club’s Committee, Club Bar staff and SIA (Security Industry Authority) Licensed Door Supervisor will ensure the following actions take place:

  • Only individuals who are aged at least 18 years of age can become a Club member.
  • Cigarettes will not be sold in the Club.
  • Cigarette smoking and “Vaping” will only be allowed in the Club’s designated smoking area.
  • Any person who is drunk or believed to be incapacitated due to the misuse of any drug will not be allowed to enter the Club’s premises.
  • Alcohol will not be served to customers unless they can prove they are aged at least 18 years of age.
  • Alcohol will not be served to customers who Bar staff believe are drunk.
  • Alcohol will not be served to customers who attempt to buy alcohol for a person Bar staff believe to be drunk.
  • Disorderly conduct will not be permitted on the Club premises or grounds.
  • A drunk or disorderly person must leave the premises when requested to do so by a Committee member, Bar staff or an SIA Licensed Door Supervisor.
  • Alcohol will only be sold during the hours permitted by Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Licensing Authority
  • Illegal drugs and “legal highs” are not permitted on the Club’s premises or grounds.

All Club members and guests can help prevent drug-related harm from occurring within the Club.

Club Members

  • Will be made aware of the details of and must adhere to Winchcombe Conservative Working Men’s Club’s Drugs Policy (this document).
  • Must report any deviance from this policy to the Committee through the Secretary.

Club Chairman and Secretary

All relevant information, paraphernalia or suspected substances found or received will be forwarded to the Club Chairman who will consult with the necessary parties before taking relevant action based upon this policy. In the event of the Chairman not being available to discharge these duties this responsibility will then automatically fall to the Secretary.

Protocol for dealing with drug misuse

Winchcombe Conservative Working Men’s Club will endeavour to respond to all drug-related incidents in a firm but fair manner, with due respect for the safety and welfare of individuals involved, other members of the Club and the wider community and will also fulfill any legal obligations that might apply.

Outline of Restrictions

The misuse or supply of illegal drugs and “legal highs” is viewed as unacceptable by Winchcombe Conservative Working Men’s Club and is punishable by warnings, suspensions and expulsions as deemed appropriate.

Reporting of Incidents

Alleged or confirmed incidents in breach of this policy will be referred to the Club Chairman.

Recording of Information

Information regarding alleged or confirmed incidents in breach of this policy will be recorded in writing. The recording of factual information is preferable and all opinions must be stated as such. Responses to cases must also be recorded in this way. Only in confirmed cases will the names of individuals be recorded.

Confidentiality

While it is not possible to guarantee, every effort will be made to respect confidentiality.

Involving Parents/Guardians

Incidents involving any person who is under 18 years of age will require their parents/guardians to be informed. Parents/guardians will be invited to discuss what has happened and will be informed of any course of action to be taken by the Club. The Club’s Chairman will nominate a person to inform parents/guardians in each case.

Police Involvement

 Incidents that involve the illegal supply of drugs will require Police involvement. In all other drug-related incidents each case will be considered on an individual basis and the decision will rest with a member* or an SIA Licensed Door Supervisor as to whether or not the Police are involved.

Search

Both a club member* and an SIA licensed Door Supervisor retain the right to direct a search of any part of Club property if there is reasonable cause to believe a substance in breach of this policy is contained therein. Either two members* or one member* and an SIA licensed Door Supervisor will conduct the search. Where there is reasonable cause to believe a person has in their possession a substance in breach of this policy, whether he/she is in an inaccessible area (e.g. toilets) or not, he/she will be asked to volunteer the substance. If he/she refuses, the Police may be called in to conduct a search.

* Ideally a Committee member

Disposing of suspected illegal substances

 If a suspected illegal substance is found on Club property it will be brought to the attention of the Club Chairman. The substance will be stored securely and the Club Chairman will then decide whether the Police should be called to collect it or whether it should be disposed of. Any disposal of suspected illegal substances will be recorded and witnessed by two Committee members. At no time will a suspected illegal substance be removed from Club property without the knowledge of the Police.

Availability, use and storage of solvents and gases

Many solvent based products have the potential to be abused (e.g. deodorants, paints, thinners, cleaning fluids etc). All solvent based materials and gases will be stored securely and safely away from public access.

Monitoring and Evaluation

This policy remains in force at all times and during all activities conducted with the support of the Police. This policy will be evaluated annually and after every drug-related incident by the Club’s Secretary in conjunction with the Club’s Committee.