Secret police files expose schools' shame with children selling dr

[grace]

Secret police files expose schools' shame with children selling drugs

Karen Collier and Jane Metlikovec

November 21, 2008 12:00am

Herald Sun

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...189-661,00.html

 

CHILDREN as young as 11 are being caught dealing, using or hiding drugs at schools, with marijuana and ecstasy being sold for as little as $5.

 

Marijuana, ecstasy and prescription pills are being swapped for as little as $5 in secret meetings on school ovals, in corridors and behind buildings.

 

One student a week on average is quizzed by police over drugs found in government and private schools.

 

Secret police records reveal 87 students were nabbed from July 2005 to November 2007.

 

But only three pupils were charged with drug offences.

 

The Herald Sun can reveal details of police investigations into drug scandals at schools after a legal fight lasting seven months.

 

Police tried to keep the cases secret, despite assurances offender identities would not be disclosed.

 

The files show most kids are caught with cannabis and get off with cautions.

 

Drugs were seized from school bags and lockers after students raised teachers' suspicions or were reported by other pupils.

 

Some confessed drug dealers are among those to escape criminal charges.

 

Dozens of reports obtained by the Herald Sun expose disturbing cases including:

 

A PRIMARY student aged 11 or 12, caught with cannabis.

 

A GIRL who allegedly sold prescription drugs to four schoolmates aged 14 to 16.

 

FOUR girls and a boy suspended for smoking joints during morning recess and lunch breaks.

 

A BOY, aged 14 or 15, selling marijuana to another student for $5.

 

A GIRL, aged 13 or 14, caught with a plastic bong and cannabis after being overheard discussing selling drugs.

 

A BOY, aged 13 or 14, apprehended after hiding a bag of marijuana in his sock.

 

THREE boys who allegedly concealed drugs in a spray can lid and conspired to smoke a bong.

 

Drugs were seized from school bags, lockers and cigarette packets after students raised teachers' suspicions or were reported by other pupils.

 

The 87 students nabbed included 48 boys and 31 girls. The sex of eight other students was not clear from the reports.

 

Police responded to 54 reports of drug crimes during school hours over the period, documents obtained under Freedom of Information show.

 

Most students were questioned over cannabis possession or use. Five boys and two girls were hauled in over drug trafficking.

 

Prescription medicine featured in two cases. One student was busted for selling ecstasy.

 

A further 14 drug crime allegations in government schools have been referred to police this year.

 

Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia director Paul Dillon denied authorities were going soft on offenders.

 

"Those caught at school tend to be pretty naive . . . rather than hardcore users," he said.

 

Mr Dillon said a criminal black mark for a "dumb choice" made as a youngster could haunt people many years later.

 

Private schools last year agreed to fall in line with government schools and report to police any students caught with drugs on Victorian school grounds.

[Gnobong]

I wish my dealers would sell for those prices.