DRUGS, VIOLENCE, ALCOHOL PROBLEMS WORSEN - PRINCIPAL

The principal of Hamilton's largest school says drugs, violence and
alcohol problems are getting worse in Waikato schools.

Fraser High School principal Martin Elliott said more students coming
through the education system were "dysfunctional".

He said cannabis, methamphetamine, alcohol and cigarettes were readily
available to students and television made violence acceptable.

"In my opinion it's because we as a society have allowed this to
happen," he said.

"It's more serious than it was 10 years ago.

"There are three main problems; the level of violence and thuggery,
drug and alcohol abuse and bullies."

Within several kilometres of his Hamilton school, Mr Elliott believed
there were at least two or three "tinny houses" selling cannabis.

"It's dead easy for the students to get it (drugs). I get really angry
with this because kids are sucked in by adults who are exploiting them.

"If we ever find drugs at school we trace it back to where it has come
from -- adults. It's a balance of rights versus responsibility."

Mr Elliott said finding students doing drugs at school was rare,
however finding them in their possession on Thursdays or Fridays was
more likely as the weekend approached.

Fraser High favoured offering students with drug problems help through
several programmes ahead of suspending them, Mr Elliott said.

"If every student who got into trouble got kicked out of school it
would only put the problem into the community," he said.

"Police say 90 per cent of burglaries occurring between nine and three
are by students who should be at school.

"To expel a student from school would be contributing to an issue for
our city and community."