'WE SHOULD EDUCATE, NOT PUNISH'

How disappointing that Bridlington Secondary School Headteacher Barry
Davies can't come up with something more constructive than suspension
or expulsion for four schoolchildren caught with a small amount of
cannabis (Mail, December 11).

So long as cannabis remains a "street" drug, seemingly available
almost as easily to children as to adults, we will continue to have
these problems.

But let's face it, whatever the reasons children do it, if they have
harmed or threatened nobody, damaged no property, caused no
disturbance, surely expulsion from school is an extremely harsh
punishment that will benefit nobody, least of all the children themselves.

Instead, could I suggest that Mr Davies gets children to research the
cannabis plant, write an essay, and present it to the school assembly?

That would give them a chance to express their views, learn and
educate others. It would deglorify cannabis use and possibly save
their futures.

Carl Wagner

Legalise Cannabis Alliance http://www.lca-uk.org

Hull