Pubdate: Sun, 02 Apr 2000
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 David Syme & Co Ltd
Contact:  250 Spencer Street, Melbourne, 3000, Australia
Website: http://www.theage.com.au/
Author: Padraic Murphy

IT'S NO SECRET WHERE TO BUY DRUGS, SAY STUDENTS

Students at Wesley College, the school set to introduce drug testing
of students, are more concerned about the media's portrayal of the
school than any loss of liberty.

"It's essential to get across that the school is offering students a
second chance," said Julia Spicer, one of five year 12 Wesley students
interviewed by The Sunday Age.

"The school doesn't have a drug problem; this is a way to help
students stay at the school. The students have a choice, if they don't
want the testing it's not forced on them. It can only be done with the
consent of the student and their parents.

"The way it's been portrayed in the media is wrong. Drugs are not a
problem at Wesley; the testing is a measure to help students who might
be in trouble."

All agreed that the school was placed in a difficult position because
drugs were becoming increasingly available and accepted by the wider
community.

"I think people will always use drugs, but the school needs some way
of ensuring that students with a problem don't continue to harm
themselves or others," said Hamish Opray.

All said they saw marijuana, and increasingly ecstasy, being used
outside the school. None has come into contact with heroin.

"Drugs are seen regularly," said Shura Taft. "Ecstasy is something I
expect to come across more regularly as I get older and I start going
to more raves and nightclubs. At most parties there's usually someone
smoking marijuana. It's just a part of life."

None of the students was aware of any drug dealing at Wesley, but said
getting hold of drugs was easy. "It's not like it's a secret where to
buy drugs. People know what to do because it's common knowledge," said
Shura.

Although the students have not been formally briefed on the school's
plans, they understood that testing would be offered as an alternative
to expulsion. "This is a second chance," said Julia Bell. "The school
needs to send the correct message out to students." They said the
testing would only come into place if drugs were affecting people at
school.

Although they agreed that recreational drug use outside the school
should remain outside the school's jurisdiction, they agreed that
testing was a good idea for students who let drugs affect their
academic life.

"I don't think I know of anybody at school who's been affected by
drugs, but if somebody was, testing is a much better alternative to
expulsion," said Julia Donnan.

All Wesley students will be formally told about the drug-testing plans
at an assembly on Tuesday. 
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