WAR ON DRUGS STARTS AT HOME

School Should Drop The Big Stick Approach When It Comes To Drugs, Says Kay
O'Sullivan

I FIND it fascinating that the three schools involved in drug testing for
students are Geelong Grammar, Melbourne Grammar and Wesley.

I would not be so stupid to suggest that these three schools are the only
ones affected by drugs. Drugs are absolutely everywhere. They are an issue
in every high school in this country and even some primary schools.

But when I read that Melbourne Grammar and Wesley were to follow Geelong
Grammar's lead and introduce drug testing, something that the actor Robin
Williams reportedly said about cocaine sprang to mind.

He said cocaine was God’s way of telling you you have too much money.

I would have said the same applies to most other drugs. Which leads me back
to my original point and those three schools.

I know all about how many "ordinary" children are at those schools and how
hard so many parents work to give their children what they believe is the
best start.

But you and I know that these three schools qualify as among our most
prestigious and expensive.

And while there are more than a few families struggling with fees, in many
cases there is plenty of money about.

Money is no insurance against drugs. But I wonder whether it contributes to
the problem, at least for teenagers?

I know drugs are cheaper than ever but it costs money to dabble in drugs,
especially to the point where people notice your behavior has changed.

So where are the students being tested getting the money? I take it that,
largely, these students are not involved in crime. And while, some of them
have part-time jobs to support their habits, it must be, for the most part,
their families giving them money.

A friend with children at one of these schools talks about one 11-year-old
who brings $50 to school each day.

The money is spent on lollies and the like. Obesity is the main problem at
the moment. One can only guess as to that child’s future.

I bet he won't be passing too many tests, drugs or otherwise. I can’t even
begin to understand what the parents are doing.

Another question is, exactly where are the kids doing the drugs?

Sure, there might be some dare-devils taking drugs at school but mostly it
is happening when children are off-campus and ostensibly in their family’s
care.

I am not suggesting that parents are not concerned. This ill-judged move
towards testing is evidence of that. I know they are concerned, they are
forever telling me so.

Whenever I talk to private school parents, the topic of drugs is raised.
But so often it is about what the school is doing, rather than what they
should be doing.

Maybe its time for parents to show a spot of behavior modification within
the family and look at the example they are setting.

Or perhaps even to conaider their attitude to and use of money.

Melbourne Grammar principal Paul Sheahan said drug testing of students was
the middle ground between expulsion and tolerance. It’s not my idea of
middie ground — more like a big stick. And it has been shown so clearly
over the past 10 years that the big stick approach does not work with
drugs.

It does not work for adults, it certainly will not work for teenagers.

And with few exceptions, that is what drug taking among adolescents is
about. Drug testing might look proactive and sound impressive but it is a
very disappointing response from schools with extraordinary resources and
which purport to espouse Christian attitudes.