Department of Education guidelines ensure secrecy around cases where school pupils are found to have been involved in drug possession or abuse. But most schools retain the right to expel pupils over drug incidents.
While there is some anecdotal evidence that drug use has been a factor in several expulsions in recent years, no data has been collected on the issue.
Department guidelines say such incidents should be treated on a 'need-to-know' basis.
All records must be held confidentially by the principal or deputy principal.
While the department is clear in its stance that the use or supply of illegal drugs in schools is not acceptable, its behaviour and disciplinary guidelines also state that expulsion is to be considered only as a last resort "after every effort at rehabilitation has failed and every other sanction (has been) exhausted".
While most schools adopt a version of the department's suggested guidelines, some take a noticeably harder line when it comes to drugs cases.
At fee-paying Terenure College, the possession or consumption of illegal substances in school or during school-related activities is "not tolerated" and is punishable by expulsion.
Source: Shane Phelan, Irish Independent, 26/01/2016
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
