High schools coy on synthetic drug use

Half of Hamilton's eight public high school principals did not return Hamilton News' calls to ask if synthetic cannabis use was a problem among their students.

Principals at Fairfield College, Hamilton's Fraser High School, Hamilton Girls' High and Sacred Heart Girls' College did not respond to phone calls or emails asking to speak about whether students' use of synthetic cannabis was a problem in their schools and if they had developed a policy for dealing with the substance.

Melville High principal Clive Hamill said his school would review its policy on possession and consumption of illegal substances to include "inappropriate and harmful" substances.

He said the issue of synthetic cannabis was brought to the school's attention by a drug and alcohol counsellor from Care NZ who works at the school one day a week.

"She brought it to our attention that there are substances that are technically not illegal but have a significant impact on a few of our students," said Mr Hamill.

Hamilton Boys High deputy headmaster Greg Kirkham said after reading about K2 in the media, he'd asked the school's deans to watch for any changes in students' behaviour.

"None of the deans have noticed anything around synthetic cannabis. We're not na?ve to think that there might be something there."

Mr Kirkham said the school was proactive about talking to students about the harmful effects of drugs and that included discussions about K2.

Mr Kirkham said prefects were sent out regularly to check students weren't congregating around several nearby dairies, which could indicate undesirable behaviour. Prefects said no students were congregating outside dairies.

Hillcrest High School principal Kelvin Whiting said there was the "odd burst" of problematic use but "nothing much at the moment".

Mr Whiting said he hadn't noticed any issues at the school but should it arise they would be handled accordingly.

"I'm watching the news like everybody and I'm alarmed that some retailers are prepared to sell this stuff. It's not illegal but it's certainly harmful."

St Johns College principal Shane Tong also responded. "All I want to say is that it's not something that's raised with us."