Is having a 'bump' o a class night out usual? Post Reply

[rather be skiing]

I am a regular on this site but posting under another name today.

Can anyone let me know if having a 'bump' on a class night out is a regular thing in their school?

We have just had an end of year event for my youngest (6yrs old).

Admittedly we are at the older end of the parent age range but I was really surprised when people started disappearing off to the loos for a "lift".

To my knowledge, this never happened with my older two but it seemed a very 'ordinary' thing to do last week.

Anyone else had a similar experience? I also wondered if I should do anything? I work in a professional services and they have quite strict rules around getting a criminal record and whilst I don't think I'm the first of my profession, by any means, to be exposed to it it does make me feel slightly uneasy.

[Goldhawk]

State or private?
Where was the event held?  Someone's home or a pub/bar or the school?

What courses of action are you contemplating?

[readysteadycook]

This needs to be reported to the police, with names.

It’s not harmless fun and until society takes a dim view on it (like smoking and drink-driving), noting will change.

This article is worth a read :

https://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/my-off ... -says-pcc/

[HightreesHouse]

People who take drugs are boring and immoral. They talk nonsense and their supply chain is followed by the stench of death.

[pegg05]

i would personally speak to the school about it.
as
it can be a child protection concern.

I would be wary of telling the police myself.

I grew up with alcohol dependent parents, if another mum and gone out her way to complain about my mothers drinking on a night out and she found out.
It would have made the situation worse at home and she would have a big binge drink from frustration.




Also why ask if this is a private or state school

I have been told have parents on state schools going off to the toilets during summer fetes for a sniff and i have also have had stories of private schools too

.

[stella123]

As if the police would do anything about this, don't waste their time.

Alcohol is a drug too, just legal - were you monitoring who had too much and were potentially over the limit the next day or home in charge of children after the event?

What would annoy me most about this would be the "cliquiness" of drugs - why tell anyone what you are doing? Doesn't make you cool!

[Janet14]

I agree maybe approach the school first.
Have also heard that the new approach by the police is to come down much harder on middle class drug use as currently all the damage is being done to one end of society while the middle class drug users turn a blind eye. Every drug user should read ‘Amexicana’, might make them think twice before thinking it’s harmless fun.
Also think if we talked more about the social damage of drugs, not to mention the femicide that is simply a by product in a lot of countries of origin, rather than just the danger of the drugs itself to our youngsters might make everyone stop and think a bit more.

[rather be skiing]

Thank you all for the feedback. I don't think I'm in a position where I want to report anyone. Rather selfishly Its my children's school community, but I am very interested if others have come across similar on class nights out.

[Carol2R]

Nice middle class parents with their little pick-me-ups -- apparently simply don't care about the havoc created by the drugs here and in all the countries from which those drugs come.  Senseless, thoughtless, selfish.

[Starr]

The UK has the highest cocaine use in all of Europe. It is totally normalised among "respectable" people and those includes Politicians and Police.
So no don't bother. Cocaine users are bores and I've naturally drifted away from people who continue to do it. Yes it ruins lives of people from poor backgrounds while the wealthy party and have funds for rehab.
Yes, in my experience, very common among middle classes and veey well off people and undeniably common among those who went to private school - which is where they first started doing it.

[Naivemum]

I too was shocked when this happened at a barbecue we hosted…in fact some of the parents had their dealer deliver to our door!! I spoke directly to the parents and explained I was very uncomfortable with what they had done . Also felt insulted that our party wasn’t ‘exciting’ enough so they had to up the ante - how rude! Apparently it’s quite a common occurrence…I naively assumed the queue to bathrooms was to check out a new refit!

[astro]

In answer to your original question, no I wouldn’t say this is normal practice. We haven’t seen it at any of the class parties that we’ve been to over the last 5 years (another sure why it matters, but yes, our children go to a private school).

Maybe it is going on and we’re just not included! I doubt it though as we’ve joked about it and spoken about drugs in general.

[MagdaBT]

Just 2 points!

1. Where did the event take place? If it was at a bar or restaurant or, heaven forbid, in the school, then apart from any other issue, it is putting the owners of the venue legally at risk - one assumes they were
not party to the drug taking.  If it was in a private house, and without the owner's knowledge, it could put careers at risk - lawyers, doctors, people in many professions would face disbarment or the like if they were convicted on a drugs charge - and is therefore highly discourteous to say the least.
2.  If the cocaine users had stopped for just one minute to think about the hideous consequences of their so called 'Charlie' taking for the communities where the substance is produced, one would hope they might have the wit to take thier pleasure in another, less destructive way. Oh, but I mentioned wit, which implies brains - too much to hope for, I guess!

 If you are absolutely sure of your ground, then definitely report culprits to both the police and the school.  They are committing a crime and that alone would hopefully warrant at least a visit from a police officer and a drug taking parent is a child safeguarding issue of which the school should be aware.  Also, if you can, ensure they are not invited to to other parent events, if necessary explaining to them why.
 

[Starr]

I'm surprised a group of parents did this on a mums night out. People I know who do it are sure to do it within closed circles, but yes it is very common among those who are childless and who have children.

I wouldn't report it if I were you but distance yourself. I do because these people bore me with their loud nonsensical talk.

I also had a friend order at my small birthday gathering a few years ago. I don't see her and others much any more - they probably think I'm boring as much as I find them boring .They are empty and soulless people who cannot enjoy themselves without getting high and their conversations don't interest me.
Also find the double standards about cocaine very odd. Taking certain drugs, including marijuana which should be legalised, are considered what loses do but cocaine is seen as socially acceptable.
About the bar - believe me they know very well that people take cocaine on their premises as long as they keep it hidden, it means people spend more on drinks and stay out late.
Really don't bother! Its a lost cause.

[happy bappy]

No personal experience of that either in private or state schooling, and not my thing.

I would say that depending on the size of the class, you can't be friends with everyone (not sure we ever did a 'class night out' in that way but socialised differently) and for me, not closed minded at all but its not my type either. I have creative friends in past who used substances but they would only do this privately. Times have changed for the worse, re cocaine if this is what you mean. In addition it isn't a safe drug and has cardiovascular as well as psychotropic effects. Naieve how many users think these substances are harmless or just a bit of fun.

Sounds rather immature and a bit irresponsible. It also presumes that it's not an issue for those present who work in regulated professions and/or who disagree with it, so it seems a bit entitled behaviour and selfish.