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UK: Eton students face drug tests

The BBC

Monday 14 Jan 2002

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Prince Harry can expect to be tested for drugs and could be disciplined or
even expelled by his school, Eton, over his reported cannabis use.

The exclusive independent school has yet to comment publicly on the reports
about the prince, who is studying for his A-levels, having smoked cannabis
and drunk heavily.

But Eton's rules say the head teacher can suspend or expel any boy for
having anything to do with illicit drugs - whether in school or during the
holidays.

The head, John Lewis, has in the past taken a pragmatic but firm view of
drug use.

He said that, given the widespread availability of drugs, it would be
foolish of anyone in his position to assume that a school population of
about 1,290 would somehow "miraculously" be a drug-free zone.

Discretion

Boys can be subjected to urine tests or other drugs tests - which is
usually done only when there is reasonable cause to suspect they have been
using drugs.

The school's rules say that every boy must "maintain a satisfactory
standard of industry and conduct".

"The head master has the power to dismiss or suspend any boy if it should
appear to him to be in the interest of the school to do so and in
particular to dismiss any boy for possessing, using, supplying or being
otherwise concerned in any way with any illicit drug or other harmful
substance at any time during his school career.

"The head master may require any boy to submit to a urine or other
appropriate test whether on suspicion of the use of illicit drugs or other
harmful substances, or otherwise at his sole discretion, and may cause a
search to be carried out of any boy's personal possessions or room.

"The head master has the power to treat as a breach of school discipline
behaviour during the leaves and holidays of a boy's school career which is
liable to bring the school into disrepute."

In more serious cases there is a formal right of appeal.

Eton has in the past expelled sixth formers for smoking cannabis in the
town of Windsor, outside the school grounds.

 

 

 

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