Pubdate: Fri, 03 Sep 1999
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Author: Ross Lang

STUDENTS AND DRUGS

The article "Moriah students under pressure" (Herald, August 31) highlights
an important aspect of the debate on the real and pervasive problem of
drugs in schools.

One can well argue in defence of the student placard "support don't
export". Educators should abandon easier punitive and dismissive approaches
in favour of more effective, though time-consuming, practices that involve
caring, counselling and harm-minimising strategies. Such practices better
develop responsible decision making and trust.

The principal's view that there are "other good schools" for the 11
suspended students begs the question why the Moriah College community
cannot educate and rehabilitate its students.

Using the same argument, would Moriah accept similarly suspended students
from "other good schools" to be part of a reciprocal rehabilitation program?

There may well be a need for values clarification in the college student
welfare program.

Ross Lang, Carlingford.

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