Pubdate: Wed, 18 May 2005
Source: Central Leader (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 Central Leader
Contact:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3532
Author: Sophie Neville
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

FAMILIES GIVE DRUGS TO CHILDREN

Drug Use In Schools Is A Growing Problem But Hard To Fight Because Family 
Members Are Usually The Main Dealers, Principals Say.

Latest Education Ministry figures showed Heretaunga College in Upper Hutt 
had more suspensions last year than any other school in the lower North Island.

There were 49 suspensions and 114 stand downs. A stand down is a temporary 
ban from school, where a pupil must appear before the board to decide 
whether he or she is allowed back.

Principal Bruce Hart said yesterday about half of the 49 suspensions were 
for cannabis use. A number of pupils have also been disciplined this year 
for the same offence, including four this week.

"It's a real worry. There are kids whose lives are being ruined by 
marijuana. It's a loss of motivation, inability to concentrate in class, 
moody, truancy."

Mr Hart said marijuana was readily available in Upper Hutt and many pupils 
"had it in the home". A 12-year-old had been suspended this week for 
cannabis use and another caught with the drug had told teachers he had 
picked it up from his kitchen floor.

"I would have to say, the most common source of marijuana is from a family 
member. There are some kids who see it as just what you do."

The school had a blanket rule that any pupil caught with cannabis would be 
suspended. Most often, they were allowed back to school after a short time 
away but the suspension allowed the school to put conditions on students, 
such as random drug testing.

Pupils were given drug and alcohol counselling on their return to school 
and were monitored.

Wainuiomata High School principal Rob Mill agreed that drug use in the home 
made dealing with pupils using cannabis much harder.

His school suspended 30 pupils last year -- 13 of those for drug use.

"Marijuana has a horrifying effect on their future. When you have 
significant drug use you have no education future."

He stood by the high number of discipline cases dealt with and said it was 
important the school insisted on a high standard of behaviour.

However, Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan has expressed concern at 
the large number of pupils being kicked out of schools.

She has called for an independent body to hear pupils' appeals against 
their discipline decision.

Hawke's Bay's Hukarere College is dealing with a group of boarders caught 
smoking cannabis. It is understood 17 pupils at the Anglican Maori girls' 
school have been suspended.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom