GRAMMAR DRUG TESTS ASSAILED BY RIGHTS GROUP

A decision by Geelong Grammar to introduce drug tests for students
suspected of using illicit drugs could contravene the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child, a children's rights group has claimed.

The National Children's and Youth Law Centre described the move as a "clear
invasion on the privacy and personal liberties of students", citing
articles 16 and 40 of the UN convention.

"We now have a situation where the principal of the school can direct a
student to undergo a urine test on the basis of a mere suspicion which is
subjectively held," the centre director, Mr Louis Schetzer, said.

Mr Schetzer said the UN convention provided the right of children to be
free from interference in their privacy and "for those who are suspected of
criminal offences to be treated with dignity and respect".

But Geelong Grammar's principal, Mr Lister Hannah, said yesterday that
testing was one small part of the school's overall drug policy.

"Testing will only be conducted upon students if the school, through its
comprehensive pastoral care structure, is convinced that a particular
student is at risk," he said.

"Students who are found to be involved in illicit drug use, will in most
cases be allowed to remain at the school. They will be assessed by the
school's senior medical officer, who will, with the school, the parents and
the affected student, devise an appropriate program which will involve
counselling and monitoring by testing to ensure that the student is drug free.

"If students whilst on this program test positive, they will be required to
withdraw from the school."

The peak private school parents group, the Victorian Parents Council, and
the head of one of Melbourne's leading girls schools, Methodist Ladies
College, yesterday praised Geelong Grammar's approach as a progressive step
because it recognised that some adolescents used drugs -- illicit drugs,
alcohol or tobacco.

The MLC principal, Ms Rosa Storelli, said schools had to face up to
adolescent drug use. She said schools could no longer automatically expel
students for drug use.

"It's important to identify young people who are at risk and then, when we
do ascertain that they do have a problem, it is absolutely vital that we
help them. The times when we think it's a social issue have gone. It is a
medical issue and we have to change our responses."