PUPILS MAY BE DRUG-TESTED

Hawke's Bay secondary schools may resort to random drug testing to
manage the growing problem of cannabis use.

Last year there were 177 cases of pupils being stood down or
suspended from schools in the region for drug-related reasons, up
from 113 in 2004.

Ron Mulligan, an adviser at the School Trustees' Association
conference held in Christchurch last weekend, said drug tests were
becoming more common in New Zealand schools as boards learned how to use them.

While most drug use was at secondary school level, there was an
increasing number of primary school pupils using drugs, Mr Mulligan said.

Central East Regional Board of Trustees chairperson Roberta
Karangaroa said most New Zealand secondary schools had students with
drug problems, and Hawke's Bay was no exception. However, she was not
aware of any primary schools in the region with a problem.

Marijuana was the most common culprit, as opposed to harder drugs.

Ms Karangaroa said she did not know of any local schools using drug
testing, but said it could be used as part of a rehabilitation programme.

Both Flaxmere and William Colenso Colleges had set up "excellent"
rehabilitation programs for students, she said.

"Where a student has been expelled or excluded from one school
because of drug problems, and needs to get into another, drug testing
may be part of the process," she said.

"We're not saying boards have the right to [test pupils for drugs].
It's not like a police raid, where all students would be tested. But
if they have a history of drugs, this tool is available."

Boards could either require students to produce a clean test before
letting them back into school, or reinstate them on the condition
they have random tests.

Parental consent for testing was not necessary it was a disciplinary
matter but they would have "some part to play" in the process, she
said. "I think most schools are quite realistic that it's not only a
disciplinary issue, but a health issue and safety issue too."

Students with drug problems needed help as much students with a
learning disability.

"If there is an issue with drugs and students in schools, then they
need help because a child with a blocked mind can't learn," she said.

Sacred Heart College principal Steve Bryan said there had been no
expulsions or stand-downs resulting from drug-related offences during
his single term at the school.

However, it was a different situation "across the Bay" where the
majority of suspensions and stand-downs were drug-related, he said.
Mr Bryan declined to name the schools concerned.

Drug-testing had not yet been used in a disiplinary process at the school.

"It hasn't been issue at all," he said.

"But I would not be averse to advising the board to use drug-testing
kits, if it was necessary."