Pubdate: Sat, 11 Aug 2007
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2007 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: Bethany Hiatt
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

STUDENTS MAY FACE RANDOM DRUG TESTS

Students could face random drug tests at school under plans being 
considered by the Prime Minister's advisory committee on drug use.

Australian National Council on Drugs chief executive Gino Vumbaca 
said it had commissioned research into whether drug detection and 
screening was needed in schools.

It was examining evidence for and against the effectiveness of 
mandatory drug testing as well as other strategies, such as better 
drug education, to fight illicit drug use.

"We are assessing a whole range of things, including drug testing," 
Mr Vumbaca said. "There are implications about testing kids on a 
mandatory basis and it may act as a deterrent in some cases, but it 
also breaks down bonds of trust in other cases and that can have 
longer-term effects."

There was no such thing as foolproof technology and students could be 
devastated if they recorded a false positive reading.

"We're dealing with kids in a school environment and if you're going 
to introduce something that's mandatory and invasive you want to be 
very clear on what you're doing and what the implications are before 
you do that," he said.

The council is also seeking comments from legal experts, parent 
groups, teachers and principals. It will present its recommendations 
early next year.

Drug Free Australia executive officer Jo Baxter said evidence 
indicated drug use among students was rife so schools should have the 
option to be able to use mandatory random drug tests as a deterrent, 
in addition to other drug strategies. She said any testing should be 
non-invasive, such as saliva or sweat tests. Sniffer dog searches 
could also be a possibility.

Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop said each school should have 
the authority to determine whether its students should be subjected 
to mandatory or voluntary drug testing.

Education Minister Mark McGowan said he would look at the proposal 
but his initial inclination was it was unworkable. "Schools are there 
to educate, not to act as police," he said. "Parents need to take 
responsibility for their children in these matters."

State schools ran drug education and awareness courses to inform 
students on the dangers of illicit drugs.

But shadow education minister Peter Collier said school drug 
awareness courses were piecemeal and they should become mandatory, 
though he did not back random drug tests.

Australian Secondary Principals Association president Andrew Blair 
said he would support drug tests only where there was significant 
suspicion of misuse. "I'm not of the view that we should be randomly 
drug testing students because it sends the wrong messages," he said. 
"The way to get that message across is through education rather than 
fear of being caught."

State School Teachers Union president Mike Keely said the prospect of 
mandatory random drug tests in schools would horrify most teachers.

WA Council of State School Organisations president Rob Fry said any 
drug testing would have to be done with parental permission.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom