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.