By Rowan Forster
Drug trafficking is rife in Berwick’s schools, according to startling figures released by Victoria Police.
More than a dozen children have been caught dealing drugs to their classmates across Berwick’s public and private schools in 2015-2017.
Police dismantled 14 high school drug operations in the suburb, the most in metropolitan Melbourne.
In one instance, two 13-year-old boys were charged by detectives – alongside a 41-year-old accomplice – after dealing illicit substances to students at a Berwick secondary institution.
Another saw two pupils expelled and six more suspended when a cannabis ring operating inside another Berwick high school was thwarted.
A former Berwick secondary-level teacher, who did not want to jeopardise future job opportunities by being identified, said it was easy to tell if students were under the influence of narcotics – but difficult to prove.
She believes first aid chaplains should be allowed to administer drug tests on students who behave erratically.
“It doesn’t matter what you suspect, the only way it can be stopped is if you catch them in the act,” she said.
“Obviously that’s a lot easier said than done.
“In a lot of instances the police don’t lay charges, they just issue cautions.”
Across Victoria, 38 minors were caught trafficking drugs at school during the same period.
Incidents in Berwick made up 37 per cent of crimes recorded state-wide.
A Department of Education spokeswoman said authorities treat drug-related offences with the highest priority.
“While drug related incidents are rare in Victorian schools, when they do occur the department takes them very seriously,” she said.
“Clear processes are in place for all Victorian government schools to respond effectively to drug related incidents.
“These include connecting students and families involved with appropriate support agencies, planning for the safety of other students, informing parents and guardians of students involved in incidents, and contacting the police.”
When asked if the department had any policies to prevent and deter drug trafficking in schools, the spokeswoman spruiked Victorian Government funding announced in February.
“In February, the Victorian Government launched a new $8.9 million Protective Schools Package to give our schools the support they need to create a safe environment for students and teachers,” she said.
