Teenagers can buy drugs for as little as $20 online, so when will authorities stop passing the buck, asks 18-year-old TABITHA DEMPSEY. 

GOING to school and witnessing peers high on illicit substances is not uncommon for a Tasmanian student.

One hundred Tasmanian public and private grade 11 and 12 students from across the state were recently surveyed online.

Twenty-nine per cent of students have been to school under the influence of illicit drugs and 55 per cent knew someone who had.

Sixteen per cent of students have been directly involved in an illegal drug deal that had taken place at school and 38 per cent knew someone who had.

A grade 12 student, Alan, said that he has been to school high on cannabis more than 50 times.

He said that many of those times he had gotten high at school. On the one occasion a teacher confronted him about it, he was told "remember most teachers aren't this lenient".

Alan also said that he went to the school psychologist seeking help for his daily drug problem.

That was a year ago and Alan is still using drugs every day.

When asked what would happen if a drug-related incident were to occur at a school, the Education Department and Tasmania Police both responded with the same media release:

"A Memorandum of Understanding between Tasmanian Police, the Department of Education, the Catholic Education Office and the Association of Independent Schools, outlines procedures for teachers and principals to follow when a drug-related incident occurs. Under this policy, Tasmania Police will be notified if an incident occurs."

The Minister for Education and Training Jeremy Rockliff commented:

"The use of drugs in Tasmanian schools is not tolerated. Tasmanian students are taught about the potential harm and risks associated with drug use, including alcohol and tobacco."

However, this information does not appear to be an accurate representation of reality.

Another grade 12 student, Blake, said that after he and a group of friends had gotten high at school at lunch time they were confronted by a teacher.

"I'm pretty sure he knew we were all high," Blake said. "He asked us why we looked so worried, asked us for our student IDs, gave them back, and then walked away and nothing happened after that."

Blake still regularly comes to school high, even after he sought help for his drug problem.

"I went and talked to the counsellor last year and she redirected me to Headspace to talk about my drug problem," Blake said.

"That night I got high. The school never followed it up and I never went back to Headspace."

Blake is still using cannabis daily.

Across Tasmania there are students whose stories are not unlike Alan's and Blake's. These students have serious drug habits that are ignored by their schools.

This is contrary to the Department of Education's view on the issue. When asked about students with drug-related problems, a department spokesman said:

"Support is put in place for students affected by any drug-related incidents and the school also communicates with the students' parents. All government schools are required to develop drug policies in consultation with their school community."

Much like Alan and Blake, many students with drug problems seek help from their schools. However, that support often is short-lived and ineffective.

Most students want to learn about the drugs they are exposed to at parties, nightclubs and in their schools. Yet many secondary schools don't offer, or offer very little, compulsory drug and alcohol education.