I COMMEND wholeheartedly the response from headmaster Hugh Porter (Cannabis In The Classroom, March 16). A balanced view and a need for open debate is needed on the drugs issue.

This is sewn deep into the very fabric of this country.

As Mr Porter points out it would be foolish to ignore that drugs are a part of youth culture and that there are going to be drugs issues in schools.

Mr Porter's views are balanced and well argued, and the views of the parents are also well considered. Drugs are a part of our society and the sooner we realise that the sensationalising of the issue does nothing to further the cause of social education, the better.

If parents and teachers are willing to address the issues in a level headed way, why is the message not getting across? It is because of the general perception of drugs in the minds of the newspaper-buying and television-viewing public.

A photograph of a school with police cars in the foreground does more to link drugs with fear.

The perception is that our children are all mindless dope fiends, about to burgle your house.

We all appreciate that drugs are illegal and that the problem needs addressing. But while the root of the problem is being tackled so ineffectively, can we not balance the argument so that on the way, we all don't get carried away?

James Shuker,

East Parade,

Heworth, York.

Updated: 10:28 Monday, March 21, 2005