FIGURES showing that Hampshire has the highest number of schoolchildren found with drugs on school premises underscores the depth of the problem here in the south.

The statistics will shock many, parents and teachers alike, who must have hoped publicity surrounding the dangers of taking drugs would have hit home among youngsters.

Yet despite so much activity aimed at persuading children to steer clear of the substances we learn that in the region’s schools the problem is very real.

Each incident is unique, of course, and sweeping statements or conclusions seldom paint the full picture, yet there will be many minds turned as to why so many students are tempted to risk their health, even their lives not to mention their academic and working futures to dabble with drugs.

One small crumb of comfort is the belief in some quarters that Hampshire’s problem may not be worse than elsewhere but that the methods put in place to report such incidents are stronger.

Even if that is true, that so many young people are putting themselves at risk should cause parents and teachers to re-double efforts to stamp out such an evil trade.