LEARNING THE LESSON

THE case of a student at a private college who was caught selling
marijuana, is a wake up call to those who think drugs are not a
schoolyard problem.

Xavier College reacted sternly, expelling the student and suspending
three others who bought the drug from him. But the school did not tell
the police.

Had this happened at a state school, it would have had to call in the
law.

But private schools can please themselves, an anomaly reinforced by
Premier Steve Bracks who said yesterday it was up to private schools
to decide.

He may be right in fact, but he is very wrong in principle.

Instead, there will be widespread support for the police view that all
schools should be obliged to involve them.

Those running private schools must shake off the fear of adverse
publicity and abide by existing guidelines under which all schools
should report illegal activity.

Marijuana has long since been exposed as far from innocent: it can
cause psychosis and suicide and lead to harder drugs.

Drug counsellor Richard Smith told the Herald Sun he has dealt with
many "troubled" children from private schools who had been involved
with various drugs.

This latest case renews doubts that we are doing enough.

Education is a crucial measure. But is this sufficient? Maybe we need
to resort to more drastic measures -- such as random drug tests for
pupils.

Their lives (and futures) are at stake.