BRIT DRUG TEST TARGETS STUDENTS

FAVERSHAM, England -- A British school has launched a pilot program
where students as young as 11 are subjected to random drug tests -- a
project that has generated interest in Washington and caused a civil
liberties debate on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Abbey School is testing students by mouth swab for traces of
heroin, cocaine and marijuana. Parents must give their consent for the
testing, and even then students can refuse.

Former headmaster Peter Walker, who started the program, gave up his
school job to become Britain's official ambassador for drug testing.
He recently went to Washington to give a presentation to John Walters,
director of the White House drug policy office.

Since the program began in January 2005, only one out of nearly 600
students has tested positive for marijuana -- a record Walker
attributes to students steering clear of drugs because of the testing.

"I've got nothing to hide," says Daniel Kelly, 14, who was plucked out
of class to have his mouth swabbed and saliva tested. He doesn't mind
the testing, saying that it applies to all students. "It's not as if
I'm the only one," he said.