PORT Macquarie schools and local police are taking drug use seriously after several students have been found in possession of and dealing cannabis.
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Shockingly, 2015 has seen an increase of drugs being located in schools compared to 2014.
Statistics included all high schools in the Hastings cluster and were provided by the Port Macquarie police.
In 2014, there were seven incidents involving students and drugs, with six relating to cannabis and one unknown.
This year, as of November 24, there have been nine incidents, seven of which involved cannabis, one LSD, one other drug and one pharmaceutical drug. Five of these were in Port Macquarie.
Most recently two students at St Columba Anglican School were found to be dealing marijuana earlier this month and were caught with a small amount of cannabis leaf on the school grounds after students alerted staff.
One student was removed from the school by their parents while the other is still under investigation by the school.
St Columba reported the incident to Port Macquarie police.
Detective Inspector Kim Fehon said "in relation to St Columba both children received cautions under the Young Offenders Act after having made admissions to possession of a small amount of cannabis leaf".
This follows on from an incident in August 2014 when one student was expelled for bringing hash cookies to the school. The two students, one male and one female, were caught after fellow students reported their behaviour.
St Columba Anglican School principal Terry Muldoon said students reporting drug possession was an outstanding act which supported the school's strong drug and alcohol policy.
"We were informed that a student had brought cannabis onto the campus and that another student accessed that," he said. "This report came to us from other students. It shows the majority understand the rules, know their responsibilities and accept those. These students were concerned not just for the rules but for the people involved."
The issue of drug possession on school grounds is not isolated to SCAS.
It is believed a 14-year-old year eight student from St Josephs Regional School was suspended for a short period of time for possession of cannabis.
This allegation was ferociously denied by the school with principal Jim Dempsey saying that an investigation took place after an allegation was received.
"There was an investigation however the claims were unsubstantiated and no action was taken," he said.
Both St Josephs Regional School and St Columba Anglican School follow a strict guideline for student safety and drug and alcohol issues.
Coordinating Executive Officer Parish Schools John Mcqueen said that a lot of work goes into determining their involvement with the drugs if a child is caught.
"There are many levels of involvement a student can have with the drug," he said.
"Even if we have a zero tolerance we make sure we look at rehabilitation and support for that particular student or family, whatever the case may be."
Mr Muldoon said his school carried a zero tolerance policy in terms of "nothing is ever ignored."
"Every event is investigated and dealt with individually but within a set of parameters that the school has that basically says you come onto this campus to be safe," he said.
"That safe behaviour includes certain things, such as respect. We have a duty of care to the individual and to the community as a whole."
The long standing principal said St Columba has long been a safe place where families can send their children and not be distracted by incidents like this.
"If a person's presence at the school is demeaning to the schools visions or values then we work to either remediate or to find alternatives for that person," he said.
"It's part of our pastoral care to educate students on drug and alcohol abuse. At this age it can be a formative experience.
"These kids have learnt a lesson, that there are consequences for their actions. This is a critical lesson for them."