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UK: Questions raised as school starts random drug tests

Matthew Taylor

The Guardian

Thursday 06 Jan 2005

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A headteacher's decision to subject pupils to random drug tests was called
into question yesterday as the first group of students were swabbed for
traces of cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin.

At least 10 pupils at the Abbey school in Faversham, Kent, were given mouth
swabs by trained non-teaching staff after being randomly selected by computer.

Last night, the head, Peter Walker, said he was pleased the scheme was
under way. Parents have to give permission before the tests go ahead and
pupils can refuse to take part.

But DrugScope's chief executive, Martin Barnes, said there was no proof
that random testing had a deterrent effect. Barry Hugill, a spokesman for
Liberty, said he was unhappy about random testing. People would assume that
pupils who refused tests were taking illegal substances.

Pupils who test positive do not necessarily face expulsion. The scheme will
run for a trial period of six months, testing 20 pupils each week.

 

 

 

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