A HEAD teacher today underlined his zero-tolerance policy on drugs after 17 pupils were suspended for possession and use of cannabis.

The St Augustine's RC High School children were excluded for up to two months following an investigation launched when a group became ill in class.

Staff believe one child had initially handed out the drug, possibly under pressure from other pupils, and a number were caught either smoking or carrying it in the Billington school grounds.

Head Anthony McNamara today said the exclusions were a lesson to other pupils but vowed that youngsters would not be "demonised."

He revealed details of the suspensions, implemented in the last few months, for the first time today and said: "We uncovered the fact that drugs were being collectively taken after a group of children were ill and not acting normally during a lesson.

"We decided to dig deeper and found that other young people had been involved. There was a problem with drugs being passed out and consumed on the premises.

"After that we decided to hammer home the message that we were determined to be a drug-free school.

"There is a law against using cannabis. It is very serious to protect the school and children from possibly getting a record and coming into contact with undesirable adults who are peddling the stuff."

Police were not called to the school but drugs liaison officers from Lancashire County Council have been working with the families concerned..

The pupils received suspensions ranging from a few days to several weeks but are all now back in school. The issue has also been openly discussed in school assemblies.

In accordance with advice from the Department for Education and Skills, the pupils could face permanent exclusion if they are caught again.

Cannabis was downgraded last week by the Government from a class B to a class C drug - the same as slimming pills and tranquillisers.

Possession carries a prison sentence at magistrates court of up to three months and a fine of £1,000.

"Good has come out of this," Mr McNamara added. "We have never tried to deny the fact that substance misuse happens. It is endemic.

"There is a social issue of substance misuse that has to be addressed by working with the families and pupils concerned.

"Youngsters have to think about the decisions they make and the possible repercussions.

"But everybody makes mistakes so now the youngsters are back they will not be demonised but supported. This is about real people and their re-integration."

The school has organised a special meeting with parents on substance misuse which will be held on November 13. The school is also encouraging pupils to look at other addictions including alcohol, smoking and unhealthy foods.

School governor Fran Entwistle said: "The school has taken a non-judgmental and sensitive decision which has remained supportive to the families and pupils."

Inspector Bob Ford of Clitheroe Police said: "We admire the way the school has handled this as it is a difficult area for schools.

"Unfortunately cannabis and other substances are available and we are actively targeting drug dealing in the Ribble Valley."

The area's Tory MP Nigel Evans said: "I think the headmaster Anthony MacNamara has taken the appropriate action. Seventeen is a lot of pupils to be involved and he is entirely right to stamp down on this right at the beginning.

"St Augustine is a very good school with a waiting list.

"I fear the government's policy of downgrading cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug may have misled people into thinking that cannabis is now legal.

"It is not. It is a highly dangerous drug.''