Pubdate: Tue, 27 Mar 2001
Source: Oldham Evening Chronicle (UK)
Copyright: Oldham Evening Chronicle 2001
Contact:  P. O. Box 47, Oldham, Lancashire, England  OL1 1EQ
Fax: 0161-652 2111
Website: http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/

DRUG WORRY FOR SCHOOLS

Hulme Grammar School headmaster Mr Ken Jones is certainly right when 
he says, in the wake of his decision to expel four pupils for using 
cannabis, that no secondary school in the country can claim to be a 
drug-free zone.

A couple of Oldham schools have already had well-publicised incidents 
where pupils have been caught in possession, one case leading to 
expulsion and the other to short-term suspension.

Other secondary schools - and maybe some junior schools, too - are 
likely to be wrestling with the problem of illicit drug use because 
drugs have become so much a part of youth culture that it is 
inconceivable that schools, where young people gather in great 
numbers, are not affected.

The question facing all schools when drugs - usually cannabis, but 
sometimes harder drugs - are found on the premises is what to do 
about it.  The supplier of the drugs has not yet been identified in 
the Hulme case and Oldham police, who were involved at a very early 
stage are continuing their inquiries.

Mr Jones, his staff and his school governors were adamant that 
suspension followed by expulsion was the best course of action to 
send out the firm message that Hulme will deal very severely with any 
involvement in drugs.

Hulme Grammar School, has, bravely, been prepared to discuss its drug 
problem openly and to justify the way school has dealt with it in an 
equally open and robust manner.

Expulsion is, of course, the ultimate punishment available to all 
schools and it certainly sends out a clear message to pupils that 
transgressions will not be tolerated, but whether it is a fair and 
just punishment is open to some doubt.

Pupils excluded from one school may find in hugely difficult to gain 
a place a another which, in some cases, can turn a juvenile lapse 
into a life-damaging disaster.  The problem here is one of striking a 
balance between punishment and crime, especially when the 
consequences of the punishment may be so dire.
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