Pubdate: Sun, 20 Feb 2005
Source: Western Mail (UK)
Copyright: Trinity Mirror Plc 2005
Contact: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/letters/
Website: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2598
Author: Marc Baker, Wales on Sunday
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG BUST AT TOP WELSH SCHOOL

ONE of the top state schools in Wales has plunged deeper into a drugs
scandal following the arrest of five boys accused of possessing cannabis.

Last night, police confirmed that five pupils at posh Cowbridge
Comprehensive in the Vale of Glamorgan have been questioned in
relation to a drugs bust.

Last week, Wales on Sunday revealed that one boy had been kicked out
of the school amid accusations of dealing cannabis in the classroom.
The pupil has been permanently excluded.

A further four teenagers have been quizzed by police in relation to an
incident at the school on Monday, January 24. None of them have been
charged or expelled.

Police were called by the school after teachers suspected that one of
the boys was under the influence of drugs.

Officers visited the school and examined the boy before arresting the
other youngsters.

The boys are accused of possessing small amounts of cannabis resin and
it is not thought any drug-dealing was going on.

Inspector Chris Patterson, of Cowbridge Police Station, said: "We can
confirm that an incident occurred at Cowbridge Comprehensive School on
January 24 in relation to the unlawful possession of Class C drugs.

"Five pupils have been arrested and released on police bail whilst
enquiries continue. The school is working closely with police during
the enquiry and remains helpful and supportive with its stance against
drugs."

Cowbridge Comprehensive was recently ranked the fourth best in Wales
for its GCSE and A Level results and was hailed the best in Wales for
its 2000 GCSE results. House prices in the area are among the highest
in Wales.

Cowbridge villagers were shocked to hear of the latest arrests this
week, including many parents who were enjoying the half-term break
with their children.

One mother, who did not wished to be named, said: "This is not good
enough, especially at Cowbridge."

The drugs investigation has been described as a "bombshell" by Anthony
Hampton, education cabinet member for the Vale of Glamorgan council.

"I am very unhappy that this is said to have happened in a Vale
school. It's a sad situation," said Hampton.

"We have a policy on substance misuse and as a responsible education
authority we are taking this matter very seriously.

"We support the governing body in the action they have taken but it is
unfortunate that more than one pupil is said to have been involved."

Mr Hampton, chair of the council's pupil referral unit for excluded
pupils, added: "Cowbridge is a school which produces excellent exam
results.

"The education of its pupils is not going to be affected by this
matter although I am sure there will be a cloud over the school when
it re-opens after half term on Monday."

Cowbridge governors this week said investigations were on-going.

There have been calls for compulsory drug testing in schools following
the Cowbridge arrests.

Jeff Gregory, a Rhondda-based anti-drugs campaigner, said: "Even the
best school in the land can have a drug problem.

"Every comprehensive in Wales has a problem with drugs. Random testing
is the only way we can protect children from going into a life of crime."

Expelled pupil dealt on lunchbreak

A teenager has been thrown out of a leading Welsh church school for
dealing drugs to classmates at lunchtime.

Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School excluded the pupil
after a fellow student told teachers.

The teenager, believed to be a boy, is said to have sold cannabis to a
number of pupils.

Although one pupil has been excluded, the teenagers who bought the
drugs have been allowed back to school after facing a disciplinary
panel. They have received final warnings.

Headteacher the Reverend Chris Hollowood said a pupil was caught at
the end of last year and was kicked out in October.

"A pupil has been excluded permanently for selling cannabis outside
the school at lunchtime," he said.

"Another pupil told us what was going on as we have a policy of pupils
telling us the truth at our school.

"We have tightened our anti-drugs policy as a result of this
expulsion. A police officer has spoken to one of our year groups and
drugs are a part of our social educational programme."
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MAP posted-by: Derek