Pubdate: Sat, 29 Jan 2005
Source: Midweek News (UK)
Copyright: 2005, Trinity Mirror Plc.
Contact:  http://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0400bracknell/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2839
Author: Colin Birch
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ETON STILL SAYS 'NO' TO DRUGS

ETON College is sticking to its 'one puff is enough' policy and
booting out pupils caught using drugs.

Pupils at most of the country's elite public schools are now escaping
expulsion if they are caught in possession of drugs, according to a
new study.

The report from the Good Schools Guide suggests top schools are taking
a softer line on drug abuse, with the study indicating only ten of the
top 50 independent schools still operate a "zero tolerance" policy.

But headteacher Tony Little told the Express that Eton's 1,300
students would continue to face a hard line on drugtaking.

He said: "We still operate a zero tolerance policy, but with a slight
twist. If any boy is found to be dealing or using drugs - then he
goes. In that sense it is zero tolerance.

"But we have got another route in cases where we are concerned or
suspicious about an individual boy and there is no hard evidence of
abuse.

"In those circumstances we have opened a different route that does not
involved immediate expulsion. The boy is asked to sign a no drugs
contract and submit to random drug testing and counselling."

A report by the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference,
representing leading independent schools across the country, found a
stark divide between zero tolerance schools and a growing number who
favoured a more relaxed approach.

The report said: "Illegal drug-taking is...part of the culture of
teenagers, and they do not believe it is as disgraceful as we say it
is. Even if they recognise the dangers, they are not put off,
believing that any enjoyable act must involve some risk.

"While zero tolerance (in private schools) may well have inhibited
even greater use, by itself it will not solve the problem."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake