Ref. 21785-49THE Evening Advertiser presented a list of questions to Swindon secondary schools.

They responded through Keith Defter, the chairman of the Swindon Association for Secondary Heads.

Q: Do you have a school policy regarding drug abuse?

Mr Defter: "Every school has a drugs policy because you have to have one in the 21st century. We adopt a consistent approach to drugs issues across Swindon Secondary Schools."

He said that all students receive drug awareness sessions through the Personal, Social and Health Education package and each school may decide to implement it in a slightly different way.

Schools also work with outside bodies to deliver anti-drugs messages such as health agencies and Drugslink.

Q: What is the procedure when a student is found under the influence or in possession of drugs on the school premises?

"The school response would be part supportive and part punitive. There is no point permanently excluding children who bring drugs into schools," Mr Defter said.

Each case is looked at individually. The pupil's parents would be informed and he or she would be enrolled on a rehabilitation programme if that was appropriate. Disciplinary measures could include exclusion for a short period.

"In any situation where drugs are involved, the police are involved. Swindon schools work very closely with Swindon police," Mr Defter added.

What is your opinion about the Government's plans to introduce random drug testing and sniffer dogs into schools?

"It is fraught with difficulties. Nobody I have spoken to thinks it is a good idea. Imagine the practicalities of implementing this strategy

"Society is full of all sorts of problems. Schools have to pick up the pieces, we have to be social workers as well as teachers.

"What we don't want is to become almost like a mini police state. We want to work with pupils and parents."

Q: Have you or your staff found any students under the influence or in possession of drugs at your school?

"Every school will have had incidents of children being found under the influence or in possession. We live in the real world, and to deny drugs is an issue will not help the matter.

"It's got nothing to do with the academic performance within school or whether it is located in a leafy suburb."