Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jul 2014
Source: Sunshine Coast Daily (Australia)
Copyright: 2014 APN News & Media Ltd
Contact:  http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4590

UP TO 70 SUNSHINE COAST STUDENTS SUSPENDED FOR DRUGS

NEW figures show Sunshine Coast state schools have busted students
with drugs up to 69 times in a year.

Education Queensland released the data exclusively to the Daily, with
numbers showing between 40 and 69 students were suspended from school
in 2013 for misconduct involving an illicit substance.

The department spokesman would not narrow down the figures. He said it
was a matter of student privacy.

Queensland state schools have a zero tolerance policy on
drugs.

The students busted on the Coast were suspended for up to 20 days.
Some were expelled.

The figures for 2014 are not yet available.

Maroochydore State High School's records for the past four years show
drugs have been an ongoing problem.

In 2013, there were 14 suspensions for drug-related
incidents.

The Maroochydore school's worst period was between semester two, 2011,
and semester one, 2012, when 27 suspensions were dished out for
students involved with drugs.

Coolum State High School issued at least seven suspensions for drug
incidents last year. Only two of the 12 state schools had no drug
suspensions - Kawana Waters State College and Chancellor State College.

"If students are caught with drugs at school, principals have every
right to suspend or exclude them, or refer the matter to police," an
Education Queensland spokesman said.

State schools abide by the law at all times when dealing with students
found or suspected of possessing drugs, he said.

"The department makes absolutely no apologies for taking tough
disciplinary action to keep any illicit substances out of our
schools," the spokesman said.

"Schools have an important role to play in tackling drug use among
young people, as do parents, health professionals, police and other
agencies."

The Queensland Police Service's Sunshine Coast Child Protection Unit
has dealt with children as young as 12 caught with drugs.

"Cannabis possession in schools is an issue that police take
seriously," Detective Senior Sergeant Edward Hackenberg said.

"Investigations commence after notification from Queensland
schools.

"All matters are fully investigated regardless of age.

"This may result in investigators executing search warrants at their
respective homes, to locate drug or related paraphernalia which may
provide evidence in relation to a criminal offence.

"Juveniles are dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justices
Act, which may require their appearance at court."

Headspace Maroochydore offers support for young people who are going
through tough times.

Alcohol and other drug services are core to what the organisation
offers. However, only 5% of young people accessing Headspace
Maroochydore identify alcohol and other drugs as their primary reason
for contacting the organisation.

Most youth at Headspace Maroochydore say anxiety or depression is
their main reason for seeking support.

for parents

If you suspect a family member is using drugs, think about how to
approach them:

Calm, respectful and open communication works best

Avoid confrontation

Resist the temptation to search their room for drugs

Choose the right time to talk

Listen without judgment

Seek help from a friend, drugs counsellor or support
group

- - Australian Drug Foundation

Suspensions due to misconduct involving an illicit
substance

at Coast state high schools in 2013*

Beerwah between 2 and 8

Burnside between 2 and 8

Caloundra 9

Chancellor zero

Coolum between 7 and 10

Kawana Waters zero

Maleny between 1 and 4

Maroochydore 14

Meridan between 1 and 4

Mountain Creek between 1 and 4

Nambour between 2 and 8

Noosa District between 1 and 4

*A department spokesman claims the exact figures for most Coast
schools were made unavailable to protect students' identities
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt