Pubdate: Sun, 05 Dec 2004 Source: Shropshire Star (UK) Copyright: 2004, Shropshire Newspapers Ltd. Contact: http://www.shropshirestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2510 Author: Mike Sivier Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) SCHOOL DRUG SUSPENSIONS A group of teenagers at a mid Wales school have been suspended after being caught smoking cannabis. In a letter to parents the headteacher of Newtown High School, Judith Pryce, revealed that a number of students were suspended indefinitely from the school. The school has a zero tolerance policy regarding inappropriate behaviour. In her letter Mrs Pryce said: "A small group of pupils were off the premises at lunchtime and had smoked what we have been led to believe was cannabis. "We at Newtown High School have zero tolerance of all substance misuse irrespective of classification and we will continue to operate this zero tolerance in the future. "We believe that addressing the issues for the sake of our young people and the sake of the community is imperative." She thanked colleagues, parents of pupils at the school, and parents whose children attend other schools for supporting the school's actions. A statement from education authority Powys County Council said a small group of pupils had been suspended because of substance misuse last month. "The suspension followed an internal inquiry at the school," the statement said. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek