How does a school develop one consistent rule?

A school in which every teacher reacts differently to cannabis quickly loses credibility. A shared rule creates clarity for everyone involved: for the teaching staff, the school management, parents and the young people themselves. The federal prevention site for teachers expressly considers clear rules at school indispensable. A school gets there in five steps: clarify the staff's stance, review the house rules, set out procedures, agree on how to approach pupils, and involve parents.

Why a shared rule matters

Equal treatment is the first reason. If an incident in one class is handled differently from the parallel class, parents may ask questions. The specialist site cannabispraevention.de writes that a clear set of rules and structured action strategies help teachers respond consistently and appropriately, and that the rules should apply to the whole school.

The second reason is security within the staff. A clear rule relieves the individual teacher, because they can rely on a shared procedure. According to the specialist site, such an approach also increases the credibility of the institution.

Step 1: clarify the staff's stance

Before a rule is set, the teaching staff should clarify their stance. The federal recommendations for teachers advise reflecting on one's own conduct before speaking with young people. This includes the question of how openly the school deals with the subject and what message its approach sends.

An exchange at a staff conference or in a small working group is often enough. What matters is that the end result is a shared statement that all teachers can represent in the same way.

Step 2: review the house rules

Prevention notes that schools may need to amend their house rules where necessary. A cannabis ban can be added there, similar to existing alcohol bans. The specialist site notes that the Consumer Cannabis Act (Konsumcannabisgesetz, KCanG) allows adults to carry cannabis in public, but that schools can, by amending their school regulations, also forbid adult pupils from bringing it along. The house rules are the most visible rule and should therefore be worded clearly and comprehensibly.

At the same time, the consumption bans in the law apply regardless of the house rules. Public consumption is banned in schools and within sight of them, and the sight range ends at a distance of more than 100 metres from the entrance area (section 5(2) KCanG). The school rule makes this legal framework concrete for everyday school life. It does not replace it.

Step 3: set out procedures

A procedure sets out what happens in an incident, who is informed and who takes the next steps. A simple structure helps: document the incident, inform the school management, hold a conversation with the pupil concerned, inform the parents, and check whether further help is needed.

• Who receives a suspicion and documents it?
• Who decides the next steps?
• When are the parents informed?
• Who arranges counselling or help?
• Who checks whether the incident affects other bodies?

According to cannabispraevention.de, when minors breach the rules the authorities inform the parents or legal guardians. The specialist site also names two situations in which parents must be informed immediately: consumption during a holiday camp or class trip, and the handing over of drugs in exchange for payment or a service. This point therefore belongs firmly in the procedure and should not depend on the discretion of individuals.

Step 4: agree on how to approach pupils

The way pupils are approached decides whether they open up. The recommendations for teachers stress a factual and differentiated approach to young people. That means stating facts, asking questions, avoiding blanket judgements and giving the young person the chance to describe their view.

The shared approach should be agreed. A staff team that has agreed how to start a conversation appears considerably more composed than one that improvises in each individual case.

Step 5: involve parents

The recommendations for teachers name contact with parents as a step that is indispensable in certain situations. A rule should therefore set out when and how parents are contacted. A fixed procedure prevents parents from hearing about an incident only second-hand.

An information offer for parents is also worthwhile. The BIÖG's cannabis parents' evenings combine knowledge transfer with practical communication tips, using film examples, and are recommended for grades 8 to 10.

Who carries the rule

A rule needs people responsible for it. Usually the school management takes the lead, supported by teachers with counselling roles or by school social work. It is important that those responsible are known by name and know when to bring in help from outside. You can find local counselling services through the DHS addiction-help directory (Suchthilfeverzeichnis), which can be filtered by federal state, postcode or place and radius.

Review the rule regularly

A rule that has been agreed does not have to apply forever. A review after one school year makes sense: what worked, where was there uncertainty, and which wording is ambiguous? New legal requirements or experience from programmes can also be a reason to adapt the rule.

What parents can expect from the school

Parents may ask whether the school has a rule and how it is applied. A transparent school can explain this. If you, as a parent, make suggestions, take them seriously as part of a shared process. The school and the family pursue the same goal: young people should stay well informed and get help when they need it.

The steps above are a proposal that each school can adapt to its circumstances. How a school proceeds after a specific incident is described in How does a school proceed after an incident?. The role of the police is explained in When should schools call in the police?. A prevention concept for the school is described in Which prevention concept suits a school?.

For teachers who want to familiarise themselves, an overview is available under Which workshops are available for school classes?. Further information is offered by the topic area on prevention and youth protection.