SCHOOLS TO STAY TOUGH

HEAD teachers struggling to prevent cannabis use said yesterday that David
Blunkett's decision would make it harder to convince children of the
dangers of the drug.

John Dunford, the generalsecretary of the Secondary Heads Association, said
the move sent a mixed message to children. "For many years now, cannabis
has been understood to be a dangerous drug. The Government is now
recategorising it, with limited explanation, and without the support of its
drugs czar," he said.

Schools usually suspend pupils caught with cannabis and expel those who
deal in it. The Department for Education and Skills said there should be no
change to this policy.

David Hart, the generalsecretary of the National Association of Head
Teachers, said: "The fact that the Home Secretary is effectively
decriminalising cannabis should not make a blind bit of difference to
school drugs policies."