Should children found with drugs at school be excluded?

UK Schools Minister Estelle Morris has been heavily criticised for saying head teachers should think twice before taking such action immediately.

Speaking at a conference Ms Morris said that while exclusion had to remain automatic for those students pushing drugs, there was a need for more compassion for youngsters with drug habits.

But Tory education spokesman David Willetts is outraged by her comments, condemning them as "undermining any policy of zero tolerance".

What do you think teachers should do about drugs in schools? Are we on the way to accepting that drugs are a part of our society?

Estelle Morris sees a clear need for a range of options for dealing with children on drugs.

"If you merely exclude then that child may not get the support they need to reduce the cycle of dependency," she said.

However General Secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, John Dunford said any pressure from ministers not to expel pupils for drugs is unwelcome.

"It is very important that heads should continue to have the right to exclude children involved with drugs.

"You can make a very firm statement about drugs by having the power to exclude," he said.

What do you think?

Should drug takers always be expelled?

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