Five involved with Ritalin at Bayfield
Pupils suspended: inquiries continue
By Blair Mayston
Bayfield High School had suspended five pupils for bringing Ritalin to school in the past week, principal Denis Slowley said.
The pupils were involved in two incidents, the second of which only came to light during police inquiries into the first.
Mr Slowley confirmed last week that a form 3 pupil was found with Ritalin pills at school last Tuesday, apparently having taken it in a bid to buy friends.
But he said this week police inquiries found a form 4 boy and two fifth formers were also involved.
"We now have a much clearer picture of what happened," he said.
It remained unclear why the form 3 boy had given away his pills, but it appeared possible he may have been intimidated.
The slow-release tablets were being given away, not sold, in that incident, he said.
While investigating the first incident, police found another boy who attempted to sell Ritalin at school, in an apparent copy-cat incident.
Mr Slowley said it appeared that was the first time the child had tried to sell his drugs at school.
"This school does not tolerate drugs. It's taken the police findings and is working through those findings and is dealing with each child on their merits."
The school had set up a special education programme for children at all levels involved in drug abuse since the Ritalin incidents, he said.
Children needing to take Ritalin during the day were supervised as they took it, but increasingly children were prescribed the slow-release version and did not need to have it at school, he said.
Three of the five pupils were suspended for bringing Ritalin to school for supply, and the other two for using or obtaining the drug at school.
Dunedin drug squad head Detective Sergeant Malcom Inglis said the school had acted responsibly in contacting the police.
Det Sgt Inglis said it appeared there was talk in the school about Ritalin and some boys started experimenting with it.
"It got a bit blown out of proportion by the boys, I think, as to what effect they believed it had."
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and has been likened to methamphetamine or speed.
Potential side effects of the drug range from insomnia and joint pain to palpitations, seizures and coma.
The five boys would be referred to Youth Aid, and inquiries were continuing.
Wednesday, 22-May 2002
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