Parents of a 13-year-old Saltus student have taken their son out of school after he blew the whistle on two of his peers caught in a drug transaction.

The Royal Gazette understands the student was threatened by friends of one of the boys who was arrested for allegedly trying to sell drugs at the school last month.

The frightened youth is expected to continue his education overseas.

Parents of the boy did not want to comment yesterday.

But Saltus principal Trevor Rowell said other than some verbal abuse at the time of the incident, he was not aware of any threats against the boy.

"There was some strong feelings by some on the day that the incident took place,'' he said. "But since then there has been no action taken that we are aware of and Saltus continues to be a safe environment.'' Last month when Mr. Rowell was off the Island Saltus deputy principal Nigel Kermode confirmed two male students were "disciplined'' and one of them was expelled.

He said the matter was an internal one for the school and the parents.

However, he stressed the school had a "very clear'' anti-drugs policy which was supportive of students and supported by their parents.

Under the school's drugs policy, which was introduced more than ten years ago, students are immediately dismissed if they are caught selling drugs or refuse to be drug tested.

If any student is suspected of using drugs, the parents are contacted immediately.

Parents are then informed that the student will have to take a drug test which is kept confidential.

If the test comes back negative, the school would issue an apology. But if the test is positive, the student can either remain in school providing he or she agree to be counselled at school and/or at Addiction Services.

But if the student refuses to receive help, he or she is expelled.

A similar policy exists in the public school system under the Code of Conduct which was released last year.

DRUGS DGS