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UK: School Drug Test Plan 'A Non-Starter'

Andrew Woodcock, Political Correspondent

PA News (Wire)

Monday 23 Feb 2004

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Proposals for random drugs testing in schools were dismissed as 'a
non-starter' today by a former chief constable.

Prime Minister Tony Blair used a newspaper interview yesterday to say that
headteachers could be given the power to impose tests where they think drug
use is a problem in their schools.

But Francis Wilkinson, the former head of Gwent Police and current patron
of drugs charity Transform, said they would have to get consent from pupils
and parents to carry out any tests.

And he said that the scheme would effectively be a test for the relatively
harmless cannabis, because more harmful drugs are flushed out of
users' systems much more quickly.

Mr Wilkinson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It is a non-starter.

'You can't do it without consent, and a child can't give informed consent,
so you would get consent from parents.

'Some won't agree and, of course, even if they do, a child can certainly
refuse.

'Do you say it is a condition of entry to a school that consent is given by
parents? The state has the responsibility of educating everyone, so how do
you deal with the fact that not all parents and certainly not all children
are going to consent?

'It is difficult to see how this could possibly work. It's surprising that
it's been suggested apparently without consultation with many of those who
are going to have to make it work.'

While cannabis can be detected for as long as a month after it has been
smoked, heroin remains in the user's system for just two or three days,
cocaine for a shorter period and alcohol for just a day.

Mr Wilkinson said: 'Cannabis is a good deal less harmful to children than
alcohol, but you are introducing in effect mainly testing for cannabis a
drug which is much less harmful than those which really create the problem.'

Education minister Ivan Lewis confirmed that consent would have to be
sought for any drug testing.

He told the programme: 'In terms of under-16s, you would have to get the
consent of the parents. Post-16, the advice is that you consult the pupil.

'I believe the vast majority of parents, asked that question, would be
incredibly supportive.

'If drugs are a major problem in an individual institution, surely it would
be right that we give headteachers the full range of powers to tackle that
problem.

'I am confident that there are a number of headteachers who have, on a
day-to-day basis, to deal with the reality in or near their school of drug
abuse and dealing.

'Therefore, they will welcome the fact that we are giving a very strong
signal that we expect them to take all appropriate measures in getting to
grips with it.'

Pupils found to be dealing drugs should normally be excluded from school,
but in cases where youngsters are found to have started taking illegal
substances, they should be offered support and advice on how to stop before
they develop a habit, said Mr Lewis.

 

 

 

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