Compassion?

After reading Gary's blog I questioned as to whether or not I did the right thing yesterday. I guess I came to the end of my rope with 2 students in my third block. They make up one half of the so-called "Goon Squad" as they have labeled themselves. Four very bright and capable young men. I believe their biggest problem is drug related. They come to class showing the mannerisms of the typical "Doper". I had several talks with them but to no avail. They continued to horse around in the shop, a real safety issue. I wrote out referrals and escorted them to the discipline office recommending that they be taken out of my class. There is a question in my mind that maybe there was something else I could have done.