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UK: Pupils to face random drug tests
The Guardian
Wednesday 29 Dec 2004 Pupils at a secondary school in Kent will undergo random drug testing when they return to the classroom next week in what is believed to be the first state school scheme of its kind, it was confirmed today. From next Wednesday students as young as 11 at The Abbey school, in Faversham, will have mouth swabs taken to detect the use of drugs including cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy, its headteacher, Peter Walker, said. A computer will select 20 names at random each week from the 960 pupils and they will report to the sick room to be tested by one of five specially trained non-teaching members of staff. The swabs will then be sent off to a drug testing laboratory and the results will be available in three day's time. Parents have to give permission for their children to be tested and so far 85% have agreed to the scheme, according to Mr Walker. He said: "There's been a fantastic response. No one will be tested against their wishes though. "If a child says no to being tested we won't test them. We will call the parents into the school and discuss it. "It might indicate that the child has been taking some stuff and doesn't want to be found out. We will then assess what support they need." A summary of the school's findings will be released every four to six weeks and parents will be informed of their own child's results. Children who test positive will not be excluded, but those found drug-dealing will be, Mr Walker said. "It's not a question of punishment, it's a question of support. We will decide whether they need counselling, police support or healthcare support. "We're also trying to improve the quality of life for those who choose not to take drugs." Mr Walker said 40% of teaching staff have shown their support for the Altrix Healthcare-backed scheme by volunteering to undergo random drugs tests themselves. He added: "We do not have any bigger [drugs] problem than any other school. There's a chance we have even less of a problem because we are so pro-active."
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