Pubdate: Mon, 05 Mar 2007
Source: East Anglian Daily Times (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Archant
Contact:  http://www.eadt.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/913
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

GIRL'S FAULTY DRUGS TEST ANGERS MOTHER

A Mother has spoken out after her daughter tested positive for drugs
at an Essex school because of her toothpaste.

Megan Penn, 13, shocked teachers at Colne Community School in
Brightlingsea when a random drugs test showed up positive for the
class A drug crystal meth.

This sent alarm bells ringing for staff because the hard-working pupil
was always so well behaved.

Her mum Penelope Penn, of St Osyth, was shocked to get a call to come
into school to talk about the strange result which showed up in tests
taken in December.

She said: "I was very surprised. I didn't know what to think. I rang
the school and they said it was very serious.

"I thought, 'I can't believe this, there's no way that this is
right.'

"I was worried and I spoke to our own GP. He did a test and it was
completely clear. That helped but we still had to wait for the school
results until after Christmas."

As well as year nine pupil Megan, a year seven boy also tested
positive for class B amphetamines, known as speed. The school
suspended the tests and immediately launched an investigation into the
dodgy results.

After Christmas, warehouse worker Mrs Penn, 40, received a letter
revealing that the tests had been false and saying the wrong reading
could have been caused by a chemical in a certain type of toothpaste.

Mrs Penn said she had not minded signing Megan up to the voluntary
scheme in the first place but was now more wary.

The mum, who has three other children aged 18, 12, and nine, said: "I
wasn't very happy. I don't feel very confident in the tests now."

Colne Community School began random testing of pupils more than two
years ago. Saliva samples can be tested for traces of cannabis,
amphetamines, morphine and cocaine.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "The Colne Community School is able
to confirm that recently two students were randomly drug tested in
line with school procedures and the tests were positive.

"The school immediately became suspicious of the results and the
results were sent off for further analysis.

"It subsequently became apparent that neither student had taken any
illegal substance therefore the test results were incorrect.

"Testing procedures have now been modified and we have an even greater
level of confidence in the whole testing process."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin