Pubdate: Sun, 22 Feb 2004
Source: Manchester Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2004 Manchester Evening News
Contact:  http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1313
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

PUPILS TO FACE RANDOM DRUG TESTS

TONY Blair has announced schools heads are to be given new powers to order 
pupils to undergo random drugs tests.

In an interview with a national newspaper, the Prime Minister said that 
headteachers will be issued with guidance on how to deal with pupils they 
suspect are taking drugs.

And he said that it would include provisions for spot testing pupils.

"If heads believe they have a problem in their school then they should be 
able to do random drug testing," he said.

"Guidance will be given to head teachers next month which is going to give 
them specifically the power to do random drug testing within their schools."

The Department for Education and Skills disclosed earlier this year that it 
was looking at new guidelines for head teachers, which it had planned to 
publish this month.

Support

However, it had not previously been clear whether they would extend to 
random testing.

David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, 
said he agreed with Mr Blair's plans for the random drug testing of pupils 
but cautioned that it would only work with the support of headteachers.

He said: "I agree with the Prime Minister's statement on random drug 
testing but it will only work if the headteacher wishes to introduce it.

"It would give them another weapon in their fight against drugs being 
pushed or used in their schools.

"Whilst it would be quite wrong for it to be imposed externally, it could 
be a good example of school-police liaison that helps in the battle against 
the widespread drug culture amongst our youth."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom