Drugs use widespread in schools

Drugs in Schools statistics. Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

A SNIFFER dog runs its nose over a row of school lockers, trained to stop in its tracks when it detects a whiff of marijuana, ecstasy, amphetamines or other drugs.

The scene is not a crime-riddled US district but here in Queensland where illicit substances have become a major issue for educators.

"It's unbelievable how rife it is in schools. People would be horrified," says Martin Dominick from the K9 Centre, who quietly takes drug detection dogs into Queensland schools about twice a year.

Drugs in schools came dramatically into focus when one of the state's most exclusive schools last week announced "regular and random" drug tests on students.

The Southport School headmaster Greg Wain feared a public backlash but has been inundated with support from people who say it's time to address doped-up kids in classrooms.

At Southport, the issue was so significant the school discussed bringing in sniffer dogs before choosing instead to drug-test students and expel anyone caught twice, Mr Wain confirmed to The Sunday Mail.

"I was hesitant about random drug testing because of the fact we have a great deal of trust here between the staff and the boys," he said. "The fact is the boys see the advantages. The one thing they latched on to is it's a really strong reason to say no."

The latest Federal Government drug survey of 12 to 17 year olds shows use of substances including cannabis (15 per cent), inhalants (18 per cent), tranquilisers (19 per cent), amphetamines (5 per cent) and ecstasy (5 per cent) in 2008. There was a rise in drug use among girls and 16 to 17 year olds from the previous survey of 2005.

The Southport School headmaster Greg Wain says he has been inundated with support from teachers, parents and students who say it's time to address doped-up kids in classrooms. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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Drugs use widespread in schools