WAIKATO COLLEGE BRINGING IN BLOOD TESTS FOR DRUGS

A Waikato secondary school is introducing random blood tests and drug
dog visits after children as young as 11 were caught with cannabis and
others were turning up for school stoned.

Waihi College would call the police if students were suspected of
being under the influence or in possession of drugs, and visits by
drug dogs could be carried out. One family has given the school
permission for two of their children to be randomly blood tested.

Principal Alistair Cochrane said the school wanted to show students
that it was not acceptable to bring drugs to school.

Mr Cochrane said a small number of young students had been involved
with drugs.

"I hope we don't catch anyone but we're doing this as a deterrent.
Drugs are not a major problem at the school but they're around and we
want to stop that," he said.

Board of Trustees chairman Peter O'Hagan said drugs were a "bloody
curse" and the school was trying to do its best.

"We have recently had to deal with a small number of students who
believe it is okay to be under the influence or in possession of drugs
at school," he said.

"It's unacceptable and we want to make that clear to our parents," Mr
O'Hagan said.

A mother of one student, who did not want to be named, said if
children brought cannabis to school they should be ready to deal with
the consequences. She said a lot of problems seemed to occur with
children around her 14-year-old son's age group.

"I think the school is being proactive. I think the school is doing a
great job. Drugs are around today and it's something we have to deal
with," she said.

Fellow parent Ross Walmsley agreed, saying: "Children as young as year
seven -- 11 and 12-year-olds -- have had been in trouble for drugs at
school."

Constable Judith Campbell, of Waihi Police youth aid, said drug dogs
visiting the school would serve as a warning to students but she did
not think the school had a major drug problem.

In August, Morrinsville College principal John Inger suggested parents
who see changes in their children get $30 urine tests to check for
cannabis use.