DRUG-USE RISE FOR PUPILS JUST A BLIP SAYS TEACHER

More than 20 primary schoolchildren under 10 were suspended for drug
offences last year, a big rise on the previous year.

But the increase may be just a one-off, says Wellington Principals'
Association president Neil Worboys.

Figures obtained by Act MP Donna Awatere Huata show that 14 children under
10, seven under 9 and +ACI-less than five+ACI- under 8 were suspended for
drugs last year.

The Education Ministry uses the less-than-five measure if there is a danger
of identifying pupils. In 2000, less than five pupils were suspended.

Ms Huata said the figures showed that a serious drug problem existed with
primary school-age children.

+ACI-In one South Island school last year, staff had to take a young boy to
hospital because he had smoked marijuana until he was zonked out to the
point of unconsciousness,+ACI- she said.

+ACI-The compulsory health curriculum, intended to teach our kids to make
sensible decisions concerning drugs, sex and alcohol, is obviously not
working.+ACI-

Mr Worboys said he had dealt with only one drug-related incident with a
pupil in nine years in Wellington primary schools.

The case involved a pupil who had brought cannabis, that belonged to his
parents, to school. The pupil was not suspended. +ACI-It's not really an
issue in primary schools. It's more a secondary school issue.+ACI-

He said the increase in suspensions last year could be just a one-off
statistical rise.