SCHOOLS 'WINNING BATTLE' ON DRUGS

Schools Say Education and Awareness Is Key to Winning the Drugs Battle.

Head of Corby's Kingswood School David Tristram said: "It's a concern
that I have. I would have my head in the sand if I did not realise
there were issues concerning drugs in and out of school.

"What we do when there's an incident is to look at an individual case
to see what the circumstances are."

Alan McMurdo, head of Prince William School in Oundle, said he had
only permanently excluded one student for dealing drugs - cannabis
about four years ago - and took a zero tolerance approach to illegal
substances.

He said: "We take drugs very seriously. Schools are working very hard
making sure they are a safe place."

He said measures like drugs awareness programmes helped the school
deter pupils from experimenting.

Head at Corby Community College Pamela Hutchinson said: "It's not a
specific problem for us because of the drugs awareness education that we do.

"It's not about sitting back and doing nothing."

The number of pupils permanently excluded from schools in the area
because of drink and drugs has fallen, as reported by the Evening
Telegraph last month.

In 2003/04 there were five exclusions involving drink and drugs,
compared with just one in 2005/06.

All county schools are supplied with a 'Tackling Drugs In School'
pack, which includes lesson plans and teaching materials for school
staff. Teachers also have access to training in drugs education.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: "The county
council works to support schools in dealing with any drugs-related
issues, as well as helping to prevent them.

"All secondary schools are also offered a drama by Northampton
College, supported by workshops, which teaches about drugs and is
aimed at Year 7 pupils.

"Primary schools are also supported by Life Education mobile centres
and Solve It. All schools also have access to Northamptonshire Young
People's Drugs Service if there is a particular problem.

"The county council also offers schools guidance in drafting their
policies and dealing with any incidents."

DRUGS SEIZED BY NORTHAMPTONSHIRE POLICE OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS IN
THE COUNTY (Amount in Grams and Milligrams)

2003/2004: 2004/2005: 2005/2006

Heroin 678.342: 532.11: 815.204

Crack 439.444: 122.910: 568.423

Cannabis 137,215.987: 21,934.811: 29,567.277

Ecstacy 9,006.87: 4,800.600: 622,000

Cocaine 452.212: 515.570: 465.006

Total drugs, including other substances not listed above, seized:

2003/2004: 2004/2005: 2005/2006

149,137.55: 46,494.474: 34,998.663