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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Gone to pot
Sunderland Today
Wednesday 29 Mar 2006 A GROUP of schoolchildren have been suspended after being caught smoking cannabis during their lunch break. Staff at Monkwearmouth School were tipped-off that students, believed to be aged 15 and 16, had been taking drugs in nearby Seaburn dene. One parent suggested up to 11 youngsters had been excluded after the incident, but the school dismissed this, adding that disciplinary action had been taken "against a small number of pupils." School headteacher Phil Marshall said she had to balance punishment and help for the youngsters who have all been hit with fixed-term exclusions. She said they worked hard to make sure Monkwearmouth is "free from illegal drugs". Mrs Marshall added: "We are very strict. We do take incidents involving drugs seriously, but we have to get the balance right between making sure they know it is not acceptable and supporting the youngsters and their families. "As part of this, appropriate disciplinary action was taken against a small number of pupils after an isolated incident outside the school last week, but nothing on the scale suggested. "Monkwearmouth School is a vital part of the community and values the support of pupils and parents in maintaining excellent standards of behaviour. "We have 1,485 pupils and almost all are a credit to themselves and their families." The youngsters were suspended last Monday, after the incident on Friday, March 17. The action comes as a survey revealed that one-in-five secondary school children claimed to have been offered cannabis. Former Monkwearmouth governor and Fulwell councillor, Norman Bohill, said: "We have had the police down the dene and cemetery on a number of occasions. "I have found drug paraphernalia there in the past, but I don't know whether it is a serious problem or not. I know drinking has been in the past and drinking and drugs tend to go together." "I am grateful and pleased that the headteacher is taking a firm stand with pupils. "She clearly is an iron hand in a velvet glove. She's determined to put things right and that has to be for the benefit of the school. She's not one to go shouting from the rooftops, but the school is moving in the right direction." Inspector Alan Patterson, Sunderland North community inspector, said: "These are places we regularly cover during our routine patrols and we are aware young people go into the dene and the cemetery and there is some low-level drug use. We will continue to monitor it and anyone found committing any offences will be arrested." Insp Patterson added: "We are working closely with the school in relation to lunchtime problems in Sea Road. We have had officers in school to address the issues with pupils and we have also had patrols with members of staff."
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