MORE PRINCIPALS WANT DRUG TESTS

Doctors are facing increasing pressure from principals to drug test
students despite evidence the practice does not deter substance
abuse, youth health experts say.

Drug misuse was the most common reason for suspensions last year,
with almost 1500 instances recorded across the country, an Education
Ministry report has found.

Figures also show up to 70 per cent of people will have tried
cannabis before turning 21, with 10% using the drug weekly.

Auckland youth physician, Dr Anganette Hall, who chaired an expert
panel on student drug testing at the Involve 06 youth conference in
Christchurch this week, said medical professionals were being asked
more frequently to urine test students.

However, there was no evidence from numerous international studies
that urine testing deterred drug use.

Hall said drug testing had several negative outcomes, including
students being suspended and alienated from help.

It was also relatively easy for students to find information on the
internet about how to fake the tests, she said.

Principals have defended drug testing as a way of encouraging young
people to get "clean", and say it is not about expelling pupils.

Secondary Principals' Association president Graham Young said drug
testing was a positive way of helping students in trouble.

"There's absolutely no point in somebody coming to school with a
brain sizzled on drugs."

This was unfair on themselves, their classmates and teachers.

Young said taking a student aside and setting goals, which might
include a drug test several weeks away to see if they were clean, could help.

Young said schools would ask students and their parents if they would
consider a drug test.

"It's not about what's in the law.

"Board of Trustees make decisions on what they think they need to
keep playgrounds safe."

Young said he did not think there had been an increase in schools
requesting drug tests from students in recent years.

The director of Christchurch's 182 Health Clinic for youth, Dr Sue
Bagshaw, said doctors and nurses were concerned about the number of
drug-test requests from schools.

"They often say they need it for the courts, if a young person has
been in trouble with the law, or for evidence to suspend a young
person, but that's not true.

"There's no legal need for it and I would rather see a student
getting supported by their community, school and family than see them
get suspended."

Cashmere High School principal Dave Turnbull said he used drug
testing infrequently, but it did have its place.

"If it stops one single kid from doing drugs then it is surely worthwhile."

Turnbull said students were usually asked to give a urine sample if
they had been found taking drugs at school.

Hypothetically, students could be asked to prove they were "clean"
before being allowed to return from suspension.

Youth Law spokesman John Hancock said there were several legal
concerns about student drug testing, although no-one had yet
challenged the practice in court.

Hancock said one of the biggest legal issues was that although
students may consent to the test, they usually did so under duress.

"Whether it is really consent is an issue if the student agrees after
being offered an ultimatum like you can't come back to school unless
you have a drug test," he added.

Because students, unlike workers, were legally required to attend
school, there were civil rights issues.

These surrounding them being coerced into drug tests as a condition
of attendance, Hancock said.