Substance Use in Schools Working Group minutes: October 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Health and Wellbeing Unit, Scottish Government (chair)
• Education Institute for Scotland (EIS)
• Association of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES)
• National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)
• Tobacco, Nicotine and Gambling Team, Scottish Government 
• Drugs Policy Team, Scottish Government
• Alcohol Harm Prevention Team, Scottish Government
• Supporting Maternal and Child Wellbeing Team, Scottish Government

Apologies

• Education Scotland
• COSLA

Items and actions

Welcome, introductions and apologies

The chair welcomed attendees and introductions were made. The chair noted apologies.

The chair advised that Public Health Scotland (PHS) do not have capacity to join the working group but are happy to input to the development of the guidance.

Minutes and actions from previous meeting

The chair provided a recap of the last meeting and an update on actions.

NASUWT asked if their comment regarding clarity of roles could be added to the previous minutes.

Action:

SG to amend the minutes from the previous meeting based on suggestions.

Draft Terms of Reference

The chair welcomed feedback on the draft Terms of Reference. Members were keen that the Terms of Reference makes clear that SAGRABIS has a role in the implementation and monitoring of the guidance.

Action:

SG to update Terms of Reference and circulate to group for sign off.

Guidance Development

SG provided an overview of the Draft guidance outline and welcomed feedback. Comments from members included:

• the proposed outlined approach aligns with the Public Health Scotland consensus approach
• guidance should avoid stigmatising language and remain concise, avoiding duplication of local authority policies. West Lothian and Aberdeenshire were noted as example policies SG could look at
• strong partnership working, including with parents, carers, schools and communities is essential
• teachers understanding of age restricted and illegal products (e.g. cannabis and spice in vapes) is important

• support from counsellors and school nurses is important in relation to substance use and addiction
• NASUWT highlighted teacher feedback on vaping and substance use it had gathered which SG agreed to circulate
• the guidance should clearly state that the products it is referring to are not for young people’s use
• local policy co-production with young people should be encouraged
• guidance must make clear that schools cannot search pupils
• guidance should cover safe disposal of substances and potential inclusion of advice on testing vapes for illegal contents
• prevention and curriculum links were emphasised. Members suggested referencing Education Scotland’s resources, ongoing curriculum improvement work and good practice examples such as Young Scot’s recent materials

Action:

SG to circulate NASUWT briefing with teacher’s feedback on vaping.

Any other business/next steps

SG agreed to share a first draft of the guidance in advance of the next meeting. Members were encouraged to share feedback or example policies by Friday 10 October.

SG agreed that members who were unable to attend the next meeting could provide input via correspondence. Deadlines would be confirmed via email.

Actions

• SG to develop first draft of the guidance and circulate to members in advance of the next meeting
• members to share feedback or example policies by Friday 10 October
• members unable to make the meeting on 29 Ocotber to provide input to the guidance via correspondence

The chair noted the next meeting of the group will take place on Wednesday 29 October from 2:00pm to 3:30pm.

The chair thanked members for their contribution and closed the meeting.