POLICE PRESENCE IN SCHOOLS GOOD IDEA

THANK you, Peter Clack, and participating parents, for the articles
(CT, March 12, p.1) which so graphically illustrates the grim
realities that cannabis use can cause for youths and their families.
Teachers in schools across Canberra can no doubt relate to similar
symptoms observed in their students, ranging from lethargy, loss of
motivation, withdrawal, negativity and anger to depression, suicidal
tendencies and psychosis. Public notables who continue to claim that
cannabis is a harmless recreational drug must choose to ignore the sad
realities, presumably for their own political gain. That our police
are proposing to be more present to students in schools is a welcome
move and one that I hope can eventually have a marked effect. I hope
they are in for the long haul of establishing relationships and,
ultimately, trust.