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Excluding Drug Users from School Causes More Harm

Friday 28 September 2018, 5:48PM

By Beckie Wright

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The Drug Foundation wants to remove schools' powers to expel any student younger than the school leaving age of 16. The foundation has lodged a submission to a committee reviewing the "Tomorrow's Schools" system proposing a law change to remove the power to expel students under 16 and instead create incentives for schools to keep all students engaged in learning.

"Students who feel connected to their school are less likely to engage in many risky behaviours, including alcohol, tobacco and drug use," it says. "Disconnection from school, especially physical disconnection resulting from stand-downs and exclusions, increases the likelihood that young people will experience harm."

Auckland-based deaddiction clinic The Turning Point has a similar message. Making connections and getting adequate support is essential for drug users who are trying to make a change. A person who has developed a substance abuse issue with alcohol or drugs that includes a physical dependence will find it very challenging to stop drinking or using on his or her own. The centre provides a safe, comfortable environment to help people begin their recovery from addiction.

The Turning Point is a clinical treatment facility that focuses on the detoxification and rehabilitation from addictive substances, tailored to the individual needs of each guest, including children. They have been helping Kiwis in the rehabilitation of the disease of addiction and offer ongoing support plans to live a happy, fulfilled life free from drugs and alcohol.

The latest Ministry of Education data shows that rates of stand-downs, suspensions and exclusions have all risen in each of the past two years, reversing a decade of declining expulsion rates up to 2015. Drug use was the third most common reason for exclusions, accounting for 11 per cent of students below age 16 who were kicked out of schools last year, behind "continual disobedience" (33 per cent) and physical assault on other students (20 per cent).  A detailed breakdown provided to the Drug Foundation shows that 55 per cent of the students excluded for drugs were Māori, slightly higher than the Māori share of exclusions for all other reasons (48 per cent).

With deaddiction comes physical and mental withdrawal symptoms and it is essential that young people find the right support. The combination of feeling physically ill, withdrawal symptoms and cravings to start drinking or using again mean that few chemically dependent people can successfully stop drinking for more than a couple of days at once. The beginning of the process is the most challenging. At The Turning Point the detox treatment program provides a safe environment, medical care and psychological support during this critical time.

Drug Foundation director Ross Bell said other figures presented at last week's Justice Summit showed that 51 per cent of all prisoners were kicked out of their schools as children, and 50 per cent of prisoners were Māori. He said schools needed more support from mental health and behaviour specialists to work with even the most violent students.

"If students do have behavioural issues involving being aggressive and violent, then I would think that provides more reason why we should be wrapping a lot of support around those young people so we don't send them on a path to prison," he said.

For more information on drug rehab Auckland, alcohol rehab Auckland, rehab NZ, detox clinic and more, contact 0800 863 3869 or refer https://www.theturningpoint.co.nz/