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UK: School to Begin Random Drug Tests

James Tapsfield

PA News

Tuesday 22 Jun 2004

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A secondary school could begin random drug tests on pupils from September
after governors approved the scheme.

The Abbey School in Faversham, Kent, is believed to be the first state
school in the country to give the idea the go-ahead.

Headteacher Peter Walker said today the plan, which would see 20 pupils
aged as young as 11 picked at random each week, also had the backing of
Kent County Council and was now 'virtually certain' to go ahead in September.

'We have looked at things like the Human Rights Act and we are checking a
few details. The governors grilled me on the issues and are satisfied the
right steps have been taken.'

All parents would be asked for permission before tests were carried out and
any child who did not want to participate would not be made to.

'Nobody is going to be forced to take these tests. We will select 20 and
then ask for permission. If only 10 say yes, then we will only test 10. It
is all transparent,' he said.

The tests will be carried out by independent health professionals rather
than teachers and a summary of the findings will be released at regular
intervals, according to Mr Walker.

Parents would be informed of their own children's results.

The school - which has around 960 pupils - intends to use a swab test for
drugs including cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy, which has been developed and
produced by a private company.

Mr Walker said he was seeking private sponsorship to pay for the measure.
'We are not using school funds for this,' he added.

Some independent schools have already introduced testing, mainly to check
on pupils previously caught with drugs. The Abbey's plan to screen pupils
at random is believed to be the first such pre-emptive scheme at a state
school.

A spokesman for Kent County Council said it supported the plan 'in
principle' but would want reassurance on some of the details.

'We want to check some of the legal ramifications and parental permission
issues. But yes, in theory we do support it.'

 

 

 

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