Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jan 2005
Source: Guardian, The (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Guardian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175
Author: Matthew Taylor

QUESTIONS RAISED AS SCHOOL STARTS RANDOM DRUG TESTS

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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MAP posted-by: Beth