By Victoria Stone-Meadows
The City of Casey has the second highest incidence of drug crime on or near school grounds, according to Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) figures.
However, the figures released to the Star News Group represent people caught on or near school grounds and are not exclusively relating to staff or students at the schools.
The statistics represent people caught using or selling drugs near schools at all times of the day even outside school hours and school terms.
According to the CSA data, there were nine criminal offences involving drugs near schools in Casey in the calendar year 2014, 10 in 2015 and 11 in 2016.
The number of incidents of drug crime near schools across the state was 139 in 2014, 147 in 2015 and 166 in 2016.
Hampton Park Secondary College principal David Finnerty did not deny that drug use went on at schools, but said it was not something that interfered with the education of students.
“There are drugs in every school in the country, but the reality is most students in our area don’t have resources to finance drug habits,” he said.
“Usage here would be minimal, and it rarely every comes up, and if it does we use a harm minimisation approach including counselling and helping students find a better use of their time.”
Mr Finnerty said Hampton Park Secondary College did not have many instances of students or staff using drugs.
“I’ve had zero incidents this year,” he said.
“That’s not to say it’s not a problem elsewhere and not to say there are no drugs; it’s a rarity and not something that’s a massive issue here.”
Victoria Police echoed the sentiments of Mr Finnerty with a police spokesperson saying drug offence at schools is a marginal problem.
“The number of drug offences occurring at school grounds represents less than one per cent of total drug offences,” the spokesperson said.
“The figures also do not show whether the offences were committed by students or were committed during school hours, and we know drug offenders use sites which are deserted and secluded.”
However, Victoria Police have said drugs were a serious focus for them in the wider community.
“Drug use is a significant concern for Victoria Police, and we’re playing our part by assiduously targeting those who traffick drugs,” the spokesperson said.
“Victoria Police also has a long standing and recognised use of drug diversion and referral pathways for low level offenders, providing early interventions before the harms associated with drug use become more problematic.”
