policy.

The school is also developing a drug education programme, and hopes to have both new features in place by September, said principal Mrs. Gail Graham.

Berkeley Institute, another Government secondary school, recently issued a written drug policy to parents.

Saltus Grammar School, which is private, also has a drug policy, and one is being developed at Bermuda High School for Girls. A drug policy is said to be "imminent'' at Warwick Academy, which fully becomes a private school in September.

At Whitney, a committee of parents, trustees, and teachers is at work on a drug policy "which we hope to have in place in September'', Mrs. Graham said.

There is also a small committee of teachers and counsellors working on a drug education programme to be offered to students in all grades, starting in September, she said.

"We are also exploring the possibility of a youth group or organisation as a support group for students who would like to say no to drugs,'' Mrs. Graham told The Royal Gazette .

Mrs. Graham did not feel drugs were "a severe problem'' at Whitney. "I suspect we probably have a few students who are involved in drugs,'' she said.

"We would be a very rare school if we didn't.'' Whitney was hoping "whatever we come up with would be in line with what we expect would be broad guidelines from the Ministry,'' she said.

It was not a case of not wanting to wait until the Ministry handed down a drug policy, but "a question of a number of people working in the same direction'', she said.

The drug education programme will be implemented with existing staff, she said. It may be a programme in itself, or be incorporated into existing subjects.

Berkeley's recent policy allows for drug testing when there is "reasonable cause''. Students suspected of using drugs are urged to consult a guidance counsellor, and their parents are notified. Students who test positive for drugs may remain in school only if they take treatment, while those who refuse testing are suspended.

Saltus, which has had a drug policy for nearly ten years, also suspends students suspected of using drugs who refuse to be tested. The school stresses prevention, said principal Mr. Keith McPhee.