PARENTS DEPLORE SCHOOL'S ACTION OVER DRUG SCANDAL

They labelled the college's decision to suspend their children until
2001 "deplorable".

Moriah College principal Roy Steinman has maintained that his decision
was correct and has warned parents of widespread drug abuse among
teenage students.

In a statement released exclusively to The Sunday Telegraph, the
parents of the 11 boys said they were deeply concerned and upset by
the scandal. None have ruled out the possibility of launching legal
action against the school.

The teenagers, in years 8, 9, 10 and 12 at the Jewish school, were
told 10 days ago they would be suspended for 12 months for drug dealing.

"We strongly hope that sense will prevail, and that the principal and
Moriah School Board will reconsider the issue," the parents' statement
said.

Their major concern was the "manner in which our boys have been
treated, and the implication that they were 'dealing' in significant
amounts of undefined drugs".

The parents said investigations had revealed the only drug involved
was marijuana.

The parents insisted that none of the boys was "dealing" drugs, but
said two or more had bought small amounts of marijuana on a few occasions.

They do not deny their children were at fault, but believe "the
punishment handed out in no way fits the crime".

Fellow-students staged a protest at the school on Monday, but Mr
Steinman maintained in a letter to parents on Thursday that the
decision was fair.

"While we focused only on activities that took place on campus in
making the decision to suspend students, I am also appalled by the
level of alcohol and drug use out there," he said in the letter.