WHANGAREI - Students caught with cannabis are kicking drugs while they take part in a voluntary drug-testing programme.
The programme started in June last year and was developed by the Whangarei "campus cop," Constable Hank Van Engelen, and Whangarei clinical psychologist Gary Poole.
Constable Van Engelen is stationed exclusively at schools, in a programme unique to the city.
Local secondary students caught with cannabis are given the option of signing on to the programme and agreeing to have random drug tests, or running the risk of being suspended or expelled.
In its first year, about 50 students, mostly aged 13 and 14, enrolled in the programme, and Constable Van Engelen estimated that only "three or four" had tested positive.
Of the three or four, two were expelled from school but have since returned negative drug tests and been taken on by other schools.
Constable Van Engelen said he had received feedback from teachers on the improvement in the behaviour of the students on the programme. Police and schools involved would re-evaluate the programme at the end of the year.
"It seems to be working. I think it's just the way that kids operate, and for that period of time they will do what is required.
"The best thing about it is a lot of those kids are just experimenting. Some of the older ones who have been caught are more consistent users and need all the help we can provide for them."
Students also undergo drug education, and are referred for counselling.
The deputy principal of Whangarei Boys High School, Wayne Buckland, said there was a noticeable change in participants in the programme. "After about a month or three weeks, they start to get a smile back on their face."
Mr Buckland said that after about four to five weeks their classwork was back on track.
After a term they were doing even better. "They are actually pleased to be at school, and they are back to the sort of young guys that you enjoy being around."
- NZPA
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