Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jul 2002
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/454
Author: Glen Owen

SCHOOLS TO STAY TOUGH

HEAD teachers struggling to prevent cannabis use said yesterday that David 
Blunkett's decision would make it harder to convince children of the 
dangers of the drug.

John Dunford, the generalsecretary of the Secondary Heads Association, said 
the move sent a mixed message to children. "For many years now, cannabis 
has been understood to be a dangerous drug. The Government is now 
recategorising it, with limited explanation, and without the support of its 
drugs czar,"  he said.

Schools usually suspend pupils caught with cannabis and expel those who 
deal in it. The Department for Education and Skills said there should be no 
change to this policy.

David Hart, the generalsecretary of the National Association of Head 
Teachers, said: "The fact that the Home Secretary is effectively 
decriminalising cannabis should not make a blind bit of difference to 
school drugs policies."
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MAP posted-by: Beth