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UK: Private school to drug-test pupils caught with cannabis
Alastair Jamieson The Scotsman
Thursday 22 Apr 2004 THREE pupils at one of Scotland's leading private schools, who were caught smoking cannabis, are to face a programme of random drug tests. The action is to be taken at George Watson's College in Edinburgh after photographs of the pupils smoking cannabis and drinking were found at a beauty spot. The principal of the exclusive school yesterday said he had taken the decision in order to "support as well as admonish" the pupils concerned, but insisted there were no plans to introduce random drug testing for all pupils. The move comes amid a wider debate about the introduction of random testing in Scottish schools. Some argue it would help tackle the problem of pupils having access to alcohol and drugs. Proposals to give state headteachers powers to test pupils were signalled by Tony Blair in an interview earlier this year. Jack McConnell, the First Minister, indicated the measures would be implemented in Scotland, saying he "would not tolerate a regime that was weaker" than that adopted in England and Wales. But parents and teachers' leaders have dismissed the plans as unworkable and nonsensical. An investigation at George Watson's was launched after the pictures were handed into the school earlier this week. The pack of photos showed a group of boys - all aged 16 or under - smoking cannabis, clutching beers and lying on the ground, apparently drunk. In some of the images, individual boys were wearing their uniforms. The pictures were found blowing around a disused quarry in the Blackford area by a woman out walking. The pupils concerned have been suspended but not excluded from the school, which is one of the largest in Europe, with 2,300 pupils. In a statement released yesterday, Gareth Edwards, principal of the school, said: "When this information was brought to our attention, our first responsibility was to investigate the matter thoroughly. "In liaison with community police, and with the parents fully informed, appropriate measures have now been taken. "George Watson's College operates a zero-tolerance policy towards the supply or taking of drugs on school premises or on a school-related activity. "As this took place in a private dwelling outwith school hours, the school has decided not to exclude pupils permanently. "However, the sanctions imposed - which include suspension and a programme of random drug testing in the future - reflect the seriousness with which we regard this matter. "It is inappropriate to provide further details, given that the safeguarding of privacy falls within our duty of care to young people." Speaking later to The Scotsman, Mr Edwards added: "We have a responsibility to bring pupils into adult life with an awareness of the wide range of choices that are available to them as they learn how to deal with responsibilities. "We have a duty of care to our pupils and to help them understand the mistakes they make. I believe the sanctions imposed reflect the seriousness of the situation but support as well as admonish those involved. "I must emphasise that we have no plans to introduce random drug testing to all pupils and that debate is a separate issue." A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "I can confirm that one of our community officers is dealing with the matter at the appropriate level." In 2000, two third-year pupils caught with cannabis were disciplined at George Watson's, which charges fees of up to UKP7,104 a year. Proposals to introduce random drug testing to Scottish state schools were greeted with horror by teachers' leaders earlier this year. Alan Smith, president of the Scottish School Boards Association, said in February that he believed there were already sufficient powers for schools to tackle the minority involved in drug-taking, and said the move would create "distrust, lack of privacy and lack of respect". The Headteachers' Association of Scotland and the Scottish School Teachers Association said random testing was unnecessary. David Eaglesham, SSTA general secretary, said that schools did not have the resources for a drug-testing system. "In practical terms, this is quite nonsensical to suggest that schools are in any way equipped to deal with this kind of situation," he added. Scotland Against Drugs also said the approach was unnecessary, since training for teachers in drug issues was already widespread in Scotland.
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