Pubdate: Sat, 22 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: Carolyn Jones, Education Correspondent `PARTY DRUG' PUTS IN AN APPEARANCE IN SCHOOLS School principals say they have no doubt that students are buying ecstasy - the "feel good" drug - from their peers at school, although there have been no reported incidents of students being suspended or expelled for dealing the drug. Ted Brierley, the president of the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals, said that while he did not believe ecstasy was becoming a serious problem in schools, it was well known that many students were using it with friends at parties and at "raves". "We don't know of any incidents in schools, but I have no doubt that some trafficking does occur. The big problem for schools, however, is still marijuana," Mr Brierley said. The strong peer acceptance of ecstasy means that many students don't believe the drug can be harmful, even though they are aware of the effects of other drugs, such as heroin, speed and cocaine. Eastern Drug and Alcohol service coordinator Anne Maree Rogers said students believed ecstasy was safe. "It has good peer acceptance and part of its appeal is that, unlike alcohol or other drugs, it doesn't lead to violence," Ms Rogers said. Counsellors have noticed that more students are talking about their experiences with ecstasy. "They are talking about the drug at school. One of the main things we've noticed is the peer acceptance around ecstasy. It's regarded as a party drug or a rave drug, and is associated with a lot of energy and the ability to dance all night. "They're not tuned in to the harm that can be associated with it. They often have an expectation of it, and this can affect how the drug is experienced. We tell them not to use ecstasy, or any other illicit drug, when they're alone," Ms Rogers said. The principal of Wesley College, David Loader, said he was concerned about the increasing availability of illicit drugs, including ecstasy. "It's got to be in schools, even if we haven't found it," he said. Mr Brierley said he did not believe students would take ecstasy at school. "The effects would be unmistakable. You would be able to pick a student a mile off. "By and large, kids don't bring drugs to school because they know the detection techniques are a lot more stringent," Mr Brierley said. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck