26 JANUARY 2002, Page 23

Drugs and discipline

From Mr J. MotTish Sir: To recommend that Eton should abandon the principle of zero tolerance on drugs in the interests of pragmatism (Leading article, 19 January) is exactly the sort of approach that has done so much to undermine discipline, especially self-discipline, in modern society.

Young people need to learn at some stage in their development that, occasionally, no really does mean no, or else there are consequences.

Obviously, there will always he those who will transgress, probably as a result of peergroup pressure, but not in the numbers, I suggest, that your policy would generate.

J. Morrish

Salisbury, Wiltshire