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Grammar head is firm on drug ban
2:28am Friday 16th May 2008
Comments (45)A head teacher is standing firm on her decision to exclude a girl for possession of cannabis - despite a successful appeal against the action by the teenager's parents.
The 16-year-old sixth former, who has not been named, was excluded by Ilkley Grammar School at the beginning of the year after being found in possession of a small amount of the drug while on school premises.
However, that decision was subsequently overturned by an independent appeal panel sitting at Bradford's City Hall last month.
Head teacher Gillian James said she had been left "extremely disappointed" by the panel's decision but was determined to continue the school's hardline stance against drugs.
She said: "I am very concerned that such a wrong message can undermine both our high standards and our discipline. I want to reassure parents that schools are no place for drugs and that we will remain vigilant in protecting all students at Ilkley Grammar School.
"The sixth former was not a victim. She admitted possession and had committed a criminal offence. The recent reclassification of cannabis as a Class B drug only serves to confirm the seriousness of the issue."
Mrs James said she was confident that the school's policy on illegal drugs remained clear. She said: "I take seriously our responsibility to students - to protect them and to support them in making the right choices.
"Although the panel upheld the parents' appeal, it did not order the reinstatement of the girl. I was extremely disappointed with the panel's decision since it suggested that possession of drugs in school was acceptable."
The issue has prompted letters from parents supporting Mrs James's actions. A school spokesman said: "Mrs James has been heartened by the community's response to the independent appeal panel decision to overturn her own and the Governors' recent permanent exclusion of a sixth former for cannabis possession on school premises."
Ilkley Councillor Martin Smith is a governor at the school and is responsible for Bradford Council's safer communities portfolio which includes control of anti-drugs policy.
He said: "I am absolutely behind Mrs James and the governors support her. We were more than surprised at the appeal decision bearing in mind the policy we have in upper schools of zero tolerance."
The school's stance has also been supported by Ilkley magistrate Roger Davy who vigorously campaigned for the reclassification of cannabis to Class B. He said: I think there should be a zero tolerance policy. Unless somebody takes a stand, the problem is not going to go away."
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Your Say YourBradford Telegraph and Argus
albion, west riding says...
6:26am Fri 16 May 08
albion, west riding says...
6:26am Fri 16 May 08
john-boi, Dorset says...
7:59am Fri 16 May 08
the ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
THer move to class "B" is purely political and doesn't reflect in any way the potential harm Over 8,000 adutls died from alcohol last year none from cannabis. 724 hospital admissions due to cannabis over 126,000 in long term care wiht mental health problems directly due to alcohol.
THhe risk to kids of using state sponsered drugs alcohol and tobacco is a far greater risk to health. I wonder if they have a zero tolerance to tobacco or alcohol for pupils too.
Of course any under 18 shouldnot be taking any drug but to demonise cannabis as they have done shows how ignorant and uninformed the school is on the true dangers of all drugs.
john-boi, Dorset says...
7:59am Fri 16 May 08
the ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
THer move to class "B" is purely political and doesn't reflect in any way the potential harm Over 8,000 adutls died from alcohol last year none from cannabis. 724 hospital admissions due to cannabis over 126,000 in long term care wiht mental health problems directly due to alcohol.
THhe risk to kids of using state sponsered drugs alcohol and tobacco is a far greater risk to health. I wonder if they have a zero tolerance to tobacco or alcohol for pupils too.
Of course any under 18 shouldnot be taking any drug but to demonise cannabis as they have done shows how ignorant and uninformed the school is on the true dangers of all drugs.
john-boi, Dorset says...
7:59am Fri 16 May 08
the ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
THer move to class "B" is purely political and doesn't reflect in any way the potential harm Over 8,000 adutls died from alcohol last year none from cannabis. 724 hospital admissions due to cannabis over 126,000 in long term care wiht mental health problems directly due to alcohol.
THhe risk to kids of using state sponsered drugs alcohol and tobacco is a far greater risk to health. I wonder if they have a zero tolerance to tobacco or alcohol for pupils too.
Of course any under 18 shouldnot be taking any drug but to demonise cannabis as they have done shows how ignorant and uninformed the school is on the true dangers of all drugs.
chris, BRADFORD says...
9:13am Fri 16 May 08
It like in the work place you cant smoke a spiff at dinner time unless you work for the council lol
chris, BRADFORD says...
9:13am Fri 16 May 08
It like in the work place you cant smoke a spiff at dinner time unless you work for the council lol
chris, BRADFORD says...
9:13am Fri 16 May 08
It like in the work place you cant smoke a spiff at dinner time unless you work for the council lol
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
9:59am Fri 16 May 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
9:59am Fri 16 May 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
9:59am Fri 16 May 08
Hubert, Bradford says...
10:55am Fri 16 May 08
Hubert, Bradford says...
10:55am Fri 16 May 08
Hubert, Bradford says...
10:55am Fri 16 May 08
Yorkie Al, Bradford says...
11:50am Fri 16 May 08
Yorkie Al, Bradford says...
11:50am Fri 16 May 08
Yorkie Al, Bradford says...
11:50am Fri 16 May 08
Woody, Manningham says...
12:18pm Fri 16 May 08
Woody, Manningham says...
12:18pm Fri 16 May 08
Woody, Manningham says...
12:18pm Fri 16 May 08
Mark, Haworth says...
1:09pm Fri 16 May 08
john-boi wrote:The government didn't amend the classification because of health issues.
What Hypocrites these poeple are. We have the advisory Council on the misuse of drugs recommending that Cannabis stay a class C drug as its risks to health are less than tobacco and alcohol let me quote from the report.
the ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
THer move to class "B" is purely political and doesn't reflect in any way the potential harm Over 8,000 adutls died from alcohol last year none from cannabis. 724 hospital admissions due to cannabis over 126,000 in long term care wiht mental health problems directly due to alcohol.
THhe risk to kids of using state sponsered drugs alcohol and tobacco is a far greater risk to health. I wonder if they have a zero tolerance to tobacco or alcohol for pupils too.
Of course any under 18 shouldnot be taking any drug but to demonise cannabis as they have done shows how ignorant and uninformed the school is on the true dangers of all drugs.
Even the representative of the advisory council said that the decision was taken, with support from the police confederation, due to crime issues.
Mark, Haworth says...
1:09pm Fri 16 May 08
john-boi wrote:The government didn't amend the classification because of health issues.
What Hypocrites these poeple are. We have the advisory Council on the misuse of drugs recommending that Cannabis stay a class C drug as its risks to health are less than tobacco and alcohol let me quote from the report.
the ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
THer move to class "B" is purely political and doesn't reflect in any way the potential harm Over 8,000 adutls died from alcohol last year none from cannabis. 724 hospital admissions due to cannabis over 126,000 in long term care wiht mental health problems directly due to alcohol.
THhe risk to kids of using state sponsered drugs alcohol and tobacco is a far greater risk to health. I wonder if they have a zero tolerance to tobacco or alcohol for pupils too.
Of course any under 18 shouldnot be taking any drug but to demonise cannabis as they have done shows how ignorant and uninformed the school is on the true dangers of all drugs.
Even the representative of the advisory council said that the decision was taken, with support from the police confederation, due to crime issues.
Mark, Haworth says...
1:09pm Fri 16 May 08
john-boi wrote:The government didn't amend the classification because of health issues.
What Hypocrites these poeple are. We have the advisory Council on the misuse of drugs recommending that Cannabis stay a class C drug as its risks to health are less than tobacco and alcohol let me quote from the report.
the ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
THer move to class "B" is purely political and doesn't reflect in any way the potential harm Over 8,000 adutls died from alcohol last year none from cannabis. 724 hospital admissions due to cannabis over 126,000 in long term care wiht mental health problems directly due to alcohol.
THhe risk to kids of using state sponsered drugs alcohol and tobacco is a far greater risk to health. I wonder if they have a zero tolerance to tobacco or alcohol for pupils too.
Of course any under 18 shouldnot be taking any drug but to demonise cannabis as they have done shows how ignorant and uninformed the school is on the true dangers of all drugs.
Even the representative of the advisory council said that the decision was taken, with support from the police confederation, due to crime issues.
Lord Emmerdale, Leeds says...
3:34pm Fri 16 May 08
Lord Emmerdale, Leeds says...
3:34pm Fri 16 May 08
Lord Emmerdale, Leeds says...
3:34pm Fri 16 May 08
Woody, Manningham says...
4:23pm Fri 16 May 08
It's only a crime issue because cannabis is illegal! If they legalized it then it would no longer be a crime issue. Even if it was legal though, it would still be inappropriate to take it into school.
Woody, Manningham says...
4:23pm Fri 16 May 08
It's only a crime issue because cannabis is illegal! If they legalized it then it would no longer be a crime issue. Even if it was legal though, it would still be inappropriate to take it into school.
Woody, Manningham says...
4:23pm Fri 16 May 08
It's only a crime issue because cannabis is illegal! If they legalized it then it would no longer be a crime issue. Even if it was legal though, it would still be inappropriate to take it into school.
sajenkin, Odsal says...
4:43pm Fri 16 May 08
sajenkin, Odsal says...
4:43pm Fri 16 May 08
sajenkin, Odsal says...
4:43pm Fri 16 May 08
Gentleman Jim, Yooohooo over here says...
5:16pm Fri 16 May 08
Woody wrote:Shoot her. Obvioulsy some form of career criminal. Jeez, schools are little more than meeting places for yobs these days, punishing one lass in this manner serves no-one and nothing.
In my day it was a Woodbine behind the bicycle shed. Is a joint of cannabis any worse? I doubt it. But she made the mistake of taking it in to school, so the decision is right, and she will learn in future to keep her stash at home!
Gentleman Jim, Yooohooo over here says...
5:16pm Fri 16 May 08
Woody wrote:Shoot her. Obvioulsy some form of career criminal. Jeez, schools are little more than meeting places for yobs these days, punishing one lass in this manner serves no-one and nothing.
In my day it was a Woodbine behind the bicycle shed. Is a joint of cannabis any worse? I doubt it. But she made the mistake of taking it in to school, so the decision is right, and she will learn in future to keep her stash at home!
Gentleman Jim, Yooohooo over here says...
5:16pm Fri 16 May 08
Woody wrote:Shoot her. Obvioulsy some form of career criminal. Jeez, schools are little more than meeting places for yobs these days, punishing one lass in this manner serves no-one and nothing.
In my day it was a Woodbine behind the bicycle shed. Is a joint of cannabis any worse? I doubt it. But she made the mistake of taking it in to school, so the decision is right, and she will learn in future to keep her stash at home!
Lord Emmerdale, Leeds says...
5:38pm Fri 16 May 08
Lord Emmerdale, Leeds says...
5:38pm Fri 16 May 08
Lord Emmerdale, Leeds says...
5:38pm Fri 16 May 08
john-boi, Dorset says...
6:52pm Fri 16 May 08
Mark wrote:Again nonsense let me quote the ACMD report again
john-boi wrote:The government didn't amend the classification because of health issues.
What Hypocrites these poeple are. We have the advisory Council on the misuse of drugs recommending that Cannabis stay a class C drug as its risks to health are less than tobacco and alcohol let me quote from the report.
the ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
THer move to class "B" is purely political and doesn't reflect in any way the potential harm Over 8,000 adutls died from alcohol last year none from cannabis. 724 hospital admissions due to cannabis over 126,000 in long term care wiht mental health problems directly due to alcohol.
THhe risk to kids of using state sponsered drugs alcohol and tobacco is a far greater risk to health. I wonder if they have a zero tolerance to tobacco or alcohol for pupils too.
Of course any under 18 shouldnot be taking any drug but to demonise cannabis as they have done shows how ignorant and uninformed the school is on the true dangers of all drugs.
Even the representative of the advisory council said that the decision was taken, with support from the police confederation, due to crime issues.
Paragraph 12.13
the evidence available to the council does not suggest that cannabis use is a substantial cause of acquisitive crime.
the only crime associated with Cannabis is becaise we have decided for god knows what reason to make it illegal.
Legalise for adults tomorrow.....poof there gpoes all the associated crime.
john-boi, Dorset says...
6:52pm Fri 16 May 08
Mark wrote:Again nonsense let me quote the ACMD report again
john-boi wrote:The government didn't amend the classification because of health issues.
What Hypocrites these poeple are. We have the advisory Council on the misuse of drugs recommending that Cannabis stay a class C drug as its risks to health are less than tobacco and alcohol let me quote from the report.
the ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
THer move to class "B" is purely political and doesn't reflect in any way the potential harm Over 8,000 adutls died from alcohol last year none from cannabis. 724 hospital admissions due to cannabis over 126,000 in long term care wiht mental health problems directly due to alcohol.
THhe risk to kids of using state sponsered drugs alcohol and tobacco is a far greater risk to health. I wonder if they have a zero tolerance to tobacco or alcohol for pupils too.
Of course any under 18 shouldnot be taking any drug but to demonise cannabis as they have done shows how ignorant and uninformed the school is on the true dangers of all drugs.
Even the representative of the advisory council said that the decision was taken, with support from the police confederation, due to crime issues.
Paragraph 12.13
the evidence available to the council does not suggest that cannabis use is a substantial cause of acquisitive crime.
the only crime associated with Cannabis is becaise we have decided for god knows what reason to make it illegal.
Legalise for adults tomorrow.....poof there gpoes all the associated crime.
john-boi, Dorset says...
6:52pm Fri 16 May 08
Mark wrote:Again nonsense let me quote the ACMD report again
john-boi wrote:The government didn't amend the classification because of health issues.
What Hypocrites these poeple are. We have the advisory Council on the misuse of drugs recommending that Cannabis stay a class C drug as its risks to health are less than tobacco and alcohol let me quote from the report.
the ACMD paragraph 12.11
the council does not consider the risk of progression of class a drugs as a consequence of using cannabis to be substantial: and considers that such risks are likely to be less than those associated with the use of tobacco or alcohol.
THer move to class "B" is purely political and doesn't reflect in any way the potential harm Over 8,000 adutls died from alcohol last year none from cannabis. 724 hospital admissions due to cannabis over 126,000 in long term care wiht mental health problems directly due to alcohol.
THhe risk to kids of using state sponsered drugs alcohol and tobacco is a far greater risk to health. I wonder if they have a zero tolerance to tobacco or alcohol for pupils too.
Of course any under 18 shouldnot be taking any drug but to demonise cannabis as they have done shows how ignorant and uninformed the school is on the true dangers of all drugs.
Even the representative of the advisory council said that the decision was taken, with support from the police confederation, due to crime issues.
Paragraph 12.13
the evidence available to the council does not suggest that cannabis use is a substantial cause of acquisitive crime.
the only crime associated with Cannabis is becaise we have decided for god knows what reason to make it illegal.
Legalise for adults tomorrow.....poof there gpoes all the associated crime.
john-boi, Dorset says...
8:39am Sat 17 May 08
Lord Emmerdale wrote:I agree with the main point of your post any drug legal or illegal should not be tolerated at school and the teachers should also set an example by not smoking or be seen drinking alcohol.
Come off it Jim, at 16 years old she knows what she is doing. Any pupil who takes any kind of drugs into a school needs to be excluded. It is good to see that the governors are behind her. I have seen many people with mental health problems caused by long-term use of canabis. Anyone who promotes its use is a fool.
But you last couple of lines is a prime example of the hypocrisy around drugs.
Alcohol is heavily promoted by our society and is by all measures quantitavely more dangerous than cannabis. As long as we have this moral seperation between the accepted drugs alcohol and tobacco and illegal drugs then we are going nowhere.
Remember 95% of all drug deaths are from alcohol and tobacco.
The mental health risks from alcohol according to the lancet are increased by 300% compare this to the 40% associated with cannabis and you can see the current stupidity of our drug laws.
john-boi, Dorset says...
8:39am Sat 17 May 08
Lord Emmerdale wrote:I agree with the main point of your post any drug legal or illegal should not be tolerated at school and the teachers should also set an example by not smoking or be seen drinking alcohol.
Come off it Jim, at 16 years old she knows what she is doing. Any pupil who takes any kind of drugs into a school needs to be excluded. It is good to see that the governors are behind her. I have seen many people with mental health problems caused by long-term use of canabis. Anyone who promotes its use is a fool.
But you last couple of lines is a prime example of the hypocrisy around drugs.
Alcohol is heavily promoted by our society and is by all measures quantitavely more dangerous than cannabis. As long as we have this moral seperation between the accepted drugs alcohol and tobacco and illegal drugs then we are going nowhere.
Remember 95% of all drug deaths are from alcohol and tobacco.
The mental health risks from alcohol according to the lancet are increased by 300% compare this to the 40% associated with cannabis and you can see the current stupidity of our drug laws.
john-boi, Dorset says...
8:39am Sat 17 May 08
Lord Emmerdale wrote:I agree with the main point of your post any drug legal or illegal should not be tolerated at school and the teachers should also set an example by not smoking or be seen drinking alcohol.
Come off it Jim, at 16 years old she knows what she is doing. Any pupil who takes any kind of drugs into a school needs to be excluded. It is good to see that the governors are behind her. I have seen many people with mental health problems caused by long-term use of canabis. Anyone who promotes its use is a fool.
But you last couple of lines is a prime example of the hypocrisy around drugs.
Alcohol is heavily promoted by our society and is by all measures quantitavely more dangerous than cannabis. As long as we have this moral seperation between the accepted drugs alcohol and tobacco and illegal drugs then we are going nowhere.
Remember 95% of all drug deaths are from alcohol and tobacco.
The mental health risks from alcohol according to the lancet are increased by 300% compare this to the 40% associated with cannabis and you can see the current stupidity of our drug laws.
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albion, west riding says...
6:26am Fri 16 May 08