MIDDLE-CLASS children are nearly twice as likely to use illegal drugs as those from some lower social classes, a study has revealed. Social scientists found that as many as one in seven middle-class 11 and 12-year-olds has experimented with drugs including cannabis, cocaine and heroin.

The research, carried out at Glasgow University, challenges the common assumption that children from poor families are most likely to abuse drugs.

Nearly 1,000 youngsters aged between 11 and 12 were separated into six social groups, according to their parents' occupations. In the highest class - where parents were mostly professional people such as lawyers and doctors - 14.5% of youngsters admitted trying drugs. That compared with 7.5% of children in social class three - sons and daughters of manual labourers.

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A LEADING public school has expelled four pupils, including two 13yearolds, after they were found dealing in drugs and stealing goods in order to pay for them.

The Perse School for Boys in Cambridge, where many university academics send their sons, is the latest independent school to be embarrassed by drugtaking.

Some schools, including Rugby and Gordonstoun, have already introduced drugtesting. The £5,250ayear Perse school is now considering introducing tests.

Cambridgeshire police said inquiries were continuing and no action had yet been taken against the former pupils. One of the 13yearolds and two boys aged 15 were expelled last week after an investigation revealed they were involved in selling cannabis to fellow pupils. Another 13yearold has been forced to leave because he stole to pay for drugs. The two fifthformers admitted a link with a drug supplier in Cambridge, and one of the thirdformers collected money from classmates and distributed drugs.

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