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THE first random drugs testing scheme at a state school was set to get under way today amid criticism that it infringes civil liberties and could increase truancy.
At least ten pupils at the Abbey School in Faversham, Kent, were expected to be chosen by a computer this morning to initiate the procedure. The secondary students, aged as young as 11, will be taken to the sick room and given mouth swabs by specially trained non-teaching staff.
The samples will then be sent to a laboratory, where they will be examined for traces of drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy. The first results should be available in three days. Children who test positive do not necessarily face expulsion, but those who deal in drugs will.
The scheme is the brainchild of headmaster Peter Walker, who believes it can help prevent young people falling victim to substance abuse. Recent research found almost a third of 11-15 year olds now admit to trying illicit drugs, and other schools will be watching carefully to see how the project fares.
Mr Walker said: "It's taken a long time but we are finally getting started. This school doesn't have a worse drugs problem than anywhere else. In fact, it is probably better because we are proactive.
"None of the pupils will be forced to take a test against their wishes. If they refuse, we will call the parents into the school and discuss it."
Mr Walker said he had written to the families of all 960 pupils asking for permission to carry out the tests, and 85 per cent of the 701 replies had supported the measure.
The aim is to carry out at least ten tests today, but when the scheme is fully operational 20 pupils will be swabbed at random intervals during each week, he added.
The plan has been criticised by drugs information charities and civil liberties groups.
DrugScope chief executive Martin Barnes said there was no proof that random drugs testing had a deterrent effect.
"Testing risks driving drug use further underground and could result in an increase in truancies and exclusions," he said.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2005 The Scotsman Publications Ltd
Contact: lettersen@scotsman.com
Website: Home | Edinburgh News
At least ten pupils at the Abbey School in Faversham, Kent, were expected to be chosen by a computer this morning to initiate the procedure. The secondary students, aged as young as 11, will be taken to the sick room and given mouth swabs by specially trained non-teaching staff.
The samples will then be sent to a laboratory, where they will be examined for traces of drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy. The first results should be available in three days. Children who test positive do not necessarily face expulsion, but those who deal in drugs will.
The scheme is the brainchild of headmaster Peter Walker, who believes it can help prevent young people falling victim to substance abuse. Recent research found almost a third of 11-15 year olds now admit to trying illicit drugs, and other schools will be watching carefully to see how the project fares.
Mr Walker said: "It's taken a long time but we are finally getting started. This school doesn't have a worse drugs problem than anywhere else. In fact, it is probably better because we are proactive.
"None of the pupils will be forced to take a test against their wishes. If they refuse, we will call the parents into the school and discuss it."
Mr Walker said he had written to the families of all 960 pupils asking for permission to carry out the tests, and 85 per cent of the 701 replies had supported the measure.
The aim is to carry out at least ten tests today, but when the scheme is fully operational 20 pupils will be swabbed at random intervals during each week, he added.
The plan has been criticised by drugs information charities and civil liberties groups.
DrugScope chief executive Martin Barnes said there was no proof that random drugs testing had a deterrent effect.
"Testing risks driving drug use further underground and could result in an increase in truancies and exclusions," he said.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2005 The Scotsman Publications Ltd
Contact: lettersen@scotsman.com
Website: Home | Edinburgh News
