`PARTY DRUG' PUTS IN AN APPEARANCE IN SCHOOLS

School principals say they have no doubt that students are buying ecstasy -
the "feel good" drug - from their peers at school, although there have been
no reported incidents of students being suspended or expelled for dealing
the drug.

Ted Brierley, the president of the Victorian Association of State Secondary
Principals, said that while he did not believe ecstasy was becoming a
serious problem in schools, it was well known that many students were using
it with friends at parties and at "raves".

"We don't know of any incidents in schools, but I have no doubt that some
trafficking does occur. The big problem for schools, however, is still
marijuana," Mr Brierley said.

The strong peer acceptance of ecstasy means that many students don't believe
the drug can be harmful, even though they are aware of the effects of other
drugs, such as heroin, speed and cocaine.

Eastern Drug and Alcohol service coordinator Anne Maree Rogers said students
believed ecstasy was safe.

"It has good peer acceptance and part of its appeal is that, unlike alcohol
or other drugs, it doesn't lead to violence," Ms Rogers said.

Counsellors have noticed that more students are talking about their
experiences with ecstasy.

"They are talking about the drug at school. One of the main things we've
noticed is the peer acceptance around ecstasy. It's regarded as a party drug
or a rave drug, and is associated with a lot of energy and the ability to
dance all night.

"They're not tuned in to the harm that can be associated with it. They often
have an expectation of it, and this can affect how the drug is experienced.
We tell them not to use ecstasy, or any other illicit drug, when they're
alone," Ms Rogers said.

The principal of Wesley College, David Loader, said he was concerned about
the increasing availability of illicit drugs, including ecstasy. "It's got
to be in schools, even if we haven't found it," he said.

Mr Brierley said he did not believe students would take ecstasy at school.
"The effects would be unmistakable. You would be able to pick a student a
mile off.

"By and large, kids don't bring drugs to school because they know the
detection techniques are a lot more stringent," Mr Brierley said.