Pubdate: Thu, 13 Apr 2006
Source: Sun, The (UK)
Copyright: News Group Newspapers Ltd, 2006
Contact:  http://www.the-sun.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/433
Author: Michael Lea, Political Correspondent
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

DRUG TEST 'OK IN SCHOOLS'

SCHOOLS minister Ruth Kelly yesterday cleared the way for random drug
testing of pupils.

The Education Secretary claimed one pilot scheme had been a "hugely
effective" tool in tackling substance abuse.

Ms Kelly told a teachers' conference in Birmingham that she had an
"open mind" about extending the system nationwide.

She said: "Drugs is an issue that is not going away in
schools."

Abbey School in Faversham, Kent, screened 20 pupils a week at random.
Swabs were taken and samples checked for traces of cannabis, cocaine
and ecstasy.

GCSE results leapt significantly last year after the scheme was
introduced.

Ms Kelly said: "It was a hugely effective way of creating peer
pressure against taking drugs."
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MAP posted-by: Derek