School drug testing
A leading government adviser on drugs policy has warned ministers against promoting random drug tests for schoolchildren.
Martin Barnes, chief executive of the DrugScope charity, who sits on the government's advisory council on the misuse of drugs, warned on Tuesday that testing risked driving drug use further underground and could result in a rise in truancies.
Government Response: Department for Education and Skills
Derek Twigg Schools minister said: "I fully support Heads who take tough steps to tackle drugs in schools. We have highlighted the wide range of strategies they can employ, including drugs testing, to keep their pupils out of danger."
Party Response: Conservative
David Davis shadow home secretary said: "It is extraordinary that nearly a year after the government sought to grab the headlines by announcing random drug-testing, we are just seeing the first scheme getting under way.
"Drugs destroy lives, destroy society and render all our efforts to reduce crime worthless. It is essential to identify young people using drugs at an early stage so we welcome this school’s approach.”
Stakeholder Response: British National Temperance League
Barbara Briggs, CEO of BNTL, said: "BNTL has to agree with Martin Barnes of DrugScope that random testing in schools will possibly only succeed in driving drug use further underground.
"We want children to be educated about the dangers and consequences of drug and alcohol abuse, our aim is not to criminalise young people.Schools and teachers are struggling for support in this area and random drug testing just adds to their burden of care.
"We agree with the guidelines that measures should be taken to prevent drugs on school premises and young people suspected of being involved should be investigated discreetly and tested as a last resort. But to single out, however randomly, a set number of pupils each week for testing will only succeed in alienating pupils and preventing any child who may have concerns or problems with drugs coming forward for help and support."
Stakeholder Response: Professional Association of Teachers
Jean Gemmell, general secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers, said: "Drugs are a problem in schools and society and need to be tackled. However, schools must operate within the law.
"Before schools start testing pupils for drugs, they need to ask some important questions. Would the tests be for all children or just those at risk or under suspicion? What would happen to a child who tested positive? Would they be permanently excluded and their educational chances damaged? Would testing actually stop pupils taking drugs or have the undesirable effect of encouraging truancy?
"Would it be appropriate to use sniffer dogs with pupils in whose culture dogs are considered unclean? Clearly not. Would drug testing undermine the relationship of trust between pupils, parents and the school? Probably.
"What about the practical difficulties – and costs – of obtaining and testing urine samples from hundreds of pupils?The new guidelines remind headteachers that parents' – and in some cases pupils' – permission must be obtained and that drugs tests cannot proceed without this. In other words, tests that are unenforceable are of limited use in tackling drug abuse.
"The new drugs guidelines contain practical advice for schools on how to implement drugs policies. However, enormous difficulties remain and I urge schools to study the guidance carefully, work closely with parents and the police, and, above all, proceed with caution – not be influenced by newspaper headlines."
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