Pubdate: Mon, 23 Feb 2004
Source: Edinburgh Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2004 The Scotsman Publications Ltd
Contact:  http://www.edinburghnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1626
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

BLAIR FACES FIGHT OVER SCHOOL DRUG TESTS

TONY BLAIR faces a wave of opposition from across the teaching profession 
over his plans for random drugs testing in schools.

The move - which could see sniffer dogs in classrooms and pupils being 
ordered to give urine samples - was greeted with a mixture of confusion and 
dismay.

The Prime Minister disclosed in an interview with the News of the World 
that guidance would be issued to head teachers next month on how to tackle 
pupils they suspect of drug taking.

He said that the guidelines, being drawn up by the Department for Education 
and Skills (DfES), would "specifically" give head teachers the power to 
carry out spot tests within their schools. The measures are part of a 
UKP1.5 billion programme to be rolled out over the next two years to tackle 
drug abuse among young people.

It could see children as young as 14 years old being tested for drugs if 
they are arrested for offences such as burglary, robbery or shoplifting.

Mr Blair also used the interview to quash speculation that he was preparing 
to stand down as Prime Minister, insisting that he would lead Labour into 
the next General Election.

"You have people kicking lumps out of you, but you can live with it, and I 
do," he said.

"Whatever the problems and pressures this is an immensely enjoyable and 
fulfilling job and I intend to carry on doing it. I will be putting myself 
forward."

Although the DfES indicated earlier this year that guidelines were being 
prepared for headteachers, the decision to include random drugs tests 
appeared to catch many teachers by surprise.

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of the Professional Association of 
Teachers, said that there had been no chance to discuss the plan.

"My first reaction was to be fairly horrified, mostly because I cannot 
quite see how on earth it is going to work," she said. "Litigation is rife 
when teachers are deemed to have done anything intrusive that parents or 
young people are not happy with."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom