REVEALED: DRUG CRISIS IN CLASSROOMS

HUNDREDS of young people in Scotland have been caught under the
influence of drugs during school hours, a Sunday Herald investigation
has found.

New figures obtained under freedom of information legislation show
that nearly 250 incidents involving pupils and drugs were recorded in
schools last year. That is nearly four times the number of recorded
cases relating to alcohol, of which there were 65.

In January, the case of an 11-year-old girl found slumped in a primary
school in the east end of Glasgow after smoking heroin provoked a
national outcry. Although it was considered an extreme case, drugs
workers and teachers say abuse of drugs, particularly cannabis, among
pupils is a growing problem.

David Eaglesham, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers'
Association, said it was a concern for schools and there were fears it
could escalate.

"Schools will certainly tell you there is a problem and it appears to
be quite a significant problem in school itself," he said. "The vast
majority don't do it, but a fair number are prepared to be led. Kids
are very susceptible and very malleable and there is a real danger
that this becomes more of a problem."

However, Eaglesham also pointed out that it could be difficult for
teachers to detect when pupils were using drugs.

"In the past, it tended to be drink - a can of strong lager or
whatever - but now increasingly it is drugs. That's a real problem as
it is much harder to detect than the smell of drink on breath ."

Dave Liddell, director of the Scottish Drugs Forum, said: "What the
figures reflect is the high level of use among young people and I
think it is inevitable that some of that does spill over into schools
and the school environment."

A total of 127 instances of pupils being under the influence of, in
possession of, or excluded due to drugs were noted in 20 local
authority areas in 2005. Where details were given, most of the cases
involved cannabis, with one incident involving Valium in the Borders.
Three authorities which could only give exclusions for all substance
abuse, including glue sniffing, recorded another 121 cases.

Annabel Goldie, the Scottish Tory leader, criticised the Scottish
Executive for being unwilling to tackle the drugs problem "head-on".
She said: "We have to stop sending out mixed messages, like Know the
Score, and instead engage with our young people to leave them under no
illusion that drugs are never safe, they are dangerous and they are
illegal."

She also backed tough measures such as sending sniffer dogs into
schools, as has happened in one Highlands school. But she stressed
this would have to be carried out with parental involvement.

But Fiona Hyslop, the SNP education spokeswoman, said improved
education was key: "It should be more about deterring pupils from
taking substances at school than about punishing them if they are found."

An Executive spokeswoman said schools were expected to have clear
policies on dealing with drugs and recently updated guidance had been
issued.

"It is vital young people are aware of the dangers of drugs and
alcohol. Every school provides drug education and our Know the Score
campaign gives parents and young people more information on drugs and
where to get help," she added.