Deens Academy Route to Excellence
At Deens Academy, we recognize our responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment that supports the academic and personal growth of every student. The use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco (smoking or chewing), e-cigarettes, or vaping devices by students not only interferes with their educational goals but also disrupts the well-being of the entire school community. Therefore, Deens Academy enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy towards the purchase, possession, use, consumption, sale, distribution, or storage of alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, controlled substances, illegal drugs, and vaping products on or off campus for as long as a student is enrolled with us.
Legal Context:
Underage drinking, smoking, vaping, and drug use are illegal in India under the NDPS Act, 1985, the COTPA Act, 2003, and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
Possession, use, or distribution of banned substances may lead to serious legal consequences, including police involvement, fines, rehabilitation orders, or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence.
School Policy Guidelines:
Absolute Prohibition – No student is permitted to use, possess, consume, distribute, or promote alcohol, drugs, tobacco, cigarettes, or vaping products in any capacity. This prohibition applies inside and outside the school premises for the entire duration of the student’s enrollment.
Active or Passive Involvement – Any student found to be directly involved, indirectly encouraging, or part of a conspiracy to promote such activities among peers will be held equally accountable.
Disciplinary Action:
Any violation will be immediately referred to the School Child Protection Committee (CPC).
The CPC’s decision will be binding and irrevocable, and consequences may include suspension, expulsion, or referral to law enforcement authorities as per Indian law.
Where a student is suspected of abusing substances, the student will be referred to an expert with his/her parents for evaluation. Counselling will be provided to both the student and parents.
Refusal to undergo evaluation will lead to “time out” and escalation of the problem to higher authorities, i.e. Child Welfare Committee.
Inspection of personal property, including and not limited to clothing pockets, backpacks, may be conducted by the staff on the direction of the Principal at any time, without notice and without student or parent consent for reasons of security and for protecting the rights of other students in the institution.
Random and Situational Testing:
Under suspicious circumstances, students may be asked to undergo random substance abuse testing.
Students involved in accidents or disciplinary incidents may be required to submit drug/alcohol test reports at the school’s discretion.
Parental Accountability – At the time of admission, all parents and students are required to sign an Undertaking (Annexure–1) confirming awareness and acceptance of this policy. This applies to all existing students as well.
Counseling and Support:
While the school enforces this policy with zero tolerance, we also recognize the importance of counseling and rehabilitation. Students identified at risk will be referred to the school counselors, and where necessary, to external professionals for guidance and support.
Commitment:
Deens Academy is committed to building a drug-free, alcohol-free, tobacco-free, and vape-free campus. This policy is designed not only to protect our students from the dangers of substance abuse but also to align with the laws of India and the ethical responsibility of our institution.
Parents and visitors under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave the premises and return at a later date when sober, in the interest of safety of the whole institution. Staff and employees of the school, under the effects of alcohol or drugs, will receive a warning and counselling in the first instance and could face disciplinary action and suspension if necessary.
Annexure – 1
Student & Parent Undertaking on Anti-Substance Abuse Policy
We, the undersigned, have read and understood the Anti-Substance Abuse Policy of Deens Academy. We fully acknowledge the school’s zero-tolerance stance towards the possession, use, consumption, sale, distribution, or promotion of alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, vaping devices, and illegal drugs/controlled substances by students.
We further acknowledge that:
Underage use of alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, and drugs is illegal in India under the NDPS Act, 1985, the COTPA Act, 2003, and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
Any violation of this policy by the student will be referred to the School Child Protection Committee (CPC), and the Committee’s decision will be final and binding, including disciplinary measures such as suspension, expulsion, or referral to law enforcement authorities, if required.
Students may be asked to undergo random or situational drug/alcohol testing, and refusal to comply will be treated as a violation of school rules.
Parents and students are equally responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy throughout the student’s enrollment at Deens Academy.
The policy applies to the student’s conduct both on and off campus for as long as he/she remains enrolled at the school.
We understand and agree that Deens Academy enforces this policy not only to protect the reputation of the institution but more importantly, to safeguard the health, safety, and future of all its students.
We hereby undertake to abide by this policy in full spirit and letter.
Student’s Name: ____________________________
Grade & Section: ____________________________
Signature of Student: ________________________
Date: ___________________
Parent/Guardian’s Name: ____________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian: ________________________
Date: ___________________