PUPILS AS YOUNG AS 11 ARE TURNING TO DRUGS

Two 11-year-olds in every classroom are using drugs, according to official
figures which show a rise in cocaine use among school leavers.

Amid controversy about David Blunkett's drugs strategy, data published by
the Government's statistical service showed that six per cent of
11-year-olds used drugs during 2001.

The figure rose to 39 per cent among 15-year-olds, while a fifth of 11- to
15-year-olds in England used drugs in 2001. Cannabis was the most frequent
drug used, with 13 per cent of 11- to 15-year-olds smoking it.

One per cent of the same age group used heroin and one per cent had taken
cocaine. Two leading headteachers' unions have warned that every school in
Britain has a drugs problem.

Peter Walker, adviser on drugs to the National Association of Headteachers,
said: "You show me a head teacher that says they haven't got a drug problem
and I will show you a liar. I mean infant schools, primary schools and
secondary schools."

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Headteachers' Association,
said: "Any school that doesn't think it has a drugs problem, doesn't know
its children."

Last month 3,080 pupils in 10 Kent secondary schools took part in drugs
searches.

Sniffer dogs identified 62 youngsters who had come into contact with
cannabis. Eleven youngsters admitted that they had used the drug and were
referred to drugs agencies for help.