Education authorities are considering random drug testing involving the police to address the drug issues, such as taking or dealing drugs, which have caused the suspension of over 100 students in Waikato schools in 2011.

In Hamilton's Fairfield College, a student took a class C drug to school and gave it to up to 11 of her friends, leading to six of them being hospitalized in November, Fairfax NZ News reported.

Police records show there were 33 apprehensions for drug-related offences at unspecified Waikato educational facilities in the 2011 financial year to June 31.

Reports at Ministry of Education show there were 186 stand-downs for drug offences and 107 suspensions from November 22, 2010, to November 22, 2011.

Post Primary Teachers' Association junior vice president Doug Clark, who supports random drug testing of students, said drugs is a nationwide problem and "a reflection of society."

"When their behaviour is disrupting the education of a class, you've got to balance the individual rights and needs of one against the rights of a class full of 30.

"Drugs affect kids differently. Some are so laid back they're horizontal. You don't have a problem with these kids because they're barely awake - but some get quite aggressive and nasty."

Mr. Clark also agreed with involving the police in case a student becomes disruptive because of drugs.

"Sometimes they have to be in the criminal justice system, not to be punished, but to get the help that [the student] needs."

Some New Zealand schools already randomly drug test students who have been busted previously in order to keep the children in school, Fairfax reported.

Some schools require previously busted students to sign "alternative-action contracts," in which the students agree to submit themselves for drug detection via urine tests.

Education ministry acting senior manager Chris Harwood said returning busted students to school was a priority because school attendance along with effective teaching contribute largely to students' wellness engagement.