Misuse of Drugs

Does involvement with drugs mean that my son will have to leave his public school?

Not necessarily. Proven involvement with drugs may sometimes result in expulsion, but schools are more likely these days to take a view on the level of involvement before asking a child to leave. Schools are likely to expel immediately if a child is caught selling drugs on the premises, but may take a softer line for first offences at lower levels of involvement.

Public schools have moved with the times and recognise that many young people may experiment with drugs such as cannabis; certain schools offer counselling and "talking therapies" to pupils who have admitted to drug taking, or who may be at risk. Some schools, however, retain a zero-tolerance policy and may even go as far as random drug testing, which, of course, requires parental consent. Each school will have its own policy on drug-related issues which parents may obtain from the school office.