Auckland's Mt Albert Grammar School has been accused of going "overboard" in its war against drugs

Headmaster Patrick Drumm called in detector dogs last week to search the school grounds for illegal substances.

Drumm says it's the third year in a row that he's ordered the search, and no drugs were found.

He says he wants to send a message to students that drugs are not acceptable at school, despite a planned referendum on legalising cannabis.

But Auckland Council Youth Advisory Panel chair Veisinia Maka says there needs to be greater conversation around drugs as opposed to just confiscating them.