Dear Bay of Islands College,

I am writing under the Official Information Act 1982 to request information about Bay of Islands College’s response to methamphetamine-related harm in the school community and the wider region. Given the significant social impact of methamphetamine in Northland, particularly among rangatahi, I am seeking to understand the school's policies, support systems, and any collaborative efforts to address this issue.

Specifically, I request any internal policies, procedures, or guidelines held by the College relating to substance use, drug education, or responses to suspected methamphetamine exposure among students. This includes policies related to school discipline, student welfare, and health promotion where methamphetamine is explicitly or implicitly referenced.

I also request any records of engagement between Bay of Islands College and external agencies - such as the Ministry of Education, Police, Oranga Tamariki, Health New Zealand, community organisations, or local iwi - relating to methamphetamine, student safety, harm reduction, or addiction support. Please include correspondence, meeting notes, or memoranda from 1 January 2022 to the present.

If the school has implemented or participated in any specific programmes, workshops, or educational initiatives aimed at preventing drug harm or supporting students impacted by methamphetamine use - directly or through whanau—I would appreciate details on these initiatives. Please include information on their scope, frequency, delivery partners, and any evaluations or feedback collected.

Finally, I would like to know whether the College has reported any incidents related to methamphetamine use or possession (by students, whanau, or others) on school grounds or during school-sanctioned events since 2022, and what general procedures were followed in response.

Yours faithfully,

Dan Tasman

Dear Debbie Russell,

On reflection, I’d like to withdraw my Official Information Act request, particularly where it may require significant collation or fall under formal Ombudsman requirements.

That said, if it’s possible to share a brief overview of any general approaches the College takes to support students impacted by substance harm - such as pastoral care, wellbeing initiatives, or partnerships with external services - I’d still really appreciate it.

Yours sincerely,

Dan Tasman