MOST SCHOOLS RULE OUT RANDOM DRUG TESTS

Local high schools are already drug testing students with a record of
illegal drug use - but most principals believe subjecting all pupils
to random drug tests would be "casting the net too wide".

The comments come after a former police officer suggested to a select
committee that random drug testing for students, combined with
intervention, treatment and education, be set up.

Mike Sabin, a specialist methamphetamine consultant and educator,
made the suggestions as part of a get-tough plan to tackle New
Zealand's drug problem.

He said New Zealand's national drug policy was failing and presented
a report with 21 recommendations including special courts with the
power to force addicts into treatment, random compulsory testing for
students and workplace screening.

However, local principals spoken to by the Daily Post said the
proposal of subjecting all students to random drug tests went too far.

John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh said many schools were
already drug testing those who had been dealt with for drug use.
Random drug testing was often a requirement for their re-entry to school.

Mr Walsh, who is also an education law expert, said he believed that
system worked well and was sufficient for schools.

He believed drug-testing students disciplined over drug use would
hold up to any legal challenge and was entirely reasonable and
lawful. However, Mr Walsh said he believed testing all students would
be a breach of the Bill of Rights.

Testing students who had no suggestion or involvement with illegal
drugs was "casting the net too wide", he said.

Rotorua Lakes High School principal Bruce Walker agreed the testing
of students disciplined for drug use worked well.

Mr Walker said from what he had heard, he was a bit uncomfortable
with the proposal to test all students.

However, Taupo-Nui-a-Tia principal Peter Moyle said he wasn't ruling
out the idea.

Mr Moyle said he would be interested in seeing the research to back
up the idea before making any calls on whether it was something he
would consider.

"I'm not adverse to it at all but the devil is in the detail."

Mr Moyle said some random drug testing was carried out at the college
already for students who had been caught with drugs.

He said it was done on a case-by-case basis and in conjunction with
counselling - something he believed needed to go hand-in-hand with the testing.

"It would be interesting to see the logistics. I suspect some parents
would be quite offended."

However, Mr Moyle said he was unsure the random drug testing would work.

"Adolescents being adolescents, I think a lot will take the gamble
and carry on their merry way."

Cabinet Minister Jim Anderton, who is in charge of drug policy, said
the Government was taking methamphetamine extremely seriously.

"We are well aware of the level of harm it causes in our communities," he said.

"This government has worked hard to coordinate the response of all
government agencies working in this area and we have poured extra
resources into it."

He did not think compulsory testing was feasible, saying courts had
ruled against it in the past.