SHOULD SCHOOLCHILDREN BE TESTED FOR DRUGS?

Random Drug Testing Is Planned In All Secondary Schools In England As
Part Of A Crackdown On Drug Use Among Pupils

Karol Sikora

If we agree to random tests on children, then, surely, we should agree
to such tests on all in society, young and old. Why not test people at
rock concerts, nightclubs and city centres at night? Why should we
treat children differently as citizens? If a child has behavioural
problems or is showing evidence of deteriorating academic performance,
then drug testing would form part of a diagnostic package which could
include counselling, parental interviews and a medical assessment. If
a child proves positive, what will the school do about it? There is a
huge difference between chronic drug abuse and the odd, experimental
dabble. Identifying the regulars will be made far more likely by
targeted screening programmes with full parental consent in advance.

. Karol Sikora is a cancer specialist

Noreena Hertz

Drug tests for schoolchildren will be no magic bullet. While a few
potential users may be thwarted from trying drugs as a consequence,
two major US studies report that student testing doesn't actually
reduce drug use and may even create additional casualties. This is
because most teenagers assume others will be caught but not them, and
so do not modify their behaviour, while some of the most committed
drug users will shift to drugs that cannot be tested for, such as
solvents, which can have fatal consequences. Anyway, should drugs be
the main thing we are attempting to protect our children from? With
stabbings now a significant problem in our society, might metal
detectors at schools not be a better use of funds than mouth swabs?

. Noreena Hertz is an academic

Sarfraz Manzoor

A recent survey suggested that one in five secondary school children
had tried drugs in the last year. Anything which might help discourage
children from starting or continuing drug use should be applauded.
Drug testing of children needs to be done with parental approval and
it should be at the discretion of school heads. Random testing is used
in sports to combat drugs. It seems utterly plausible that it could be
useful in schools. It could help children resist peer pressure, it can
reduce disruption and improve exam results. As with the introduction
of metal detectors, it is sad that such measures need to be
considered, but if they improve the quality of education, I am supportive.

. Sarfraz Manzoor is a writer and broadcaster

Mary Warnock

One may think that school is getting to be a kind of prison, with
inmates frisked for knives, tested for illegal substances and
forbidden crisps. But there is nothing new in the principle. Seventy
years ago at my school, we had our underclothes inspected, our letters
home read and the books we brought in checked for sex or
anti-Christian sentiments. There was little regard for our human
rights, if we had had any in those days. At least carrying knives and
taking dope are against the law; schools are fully entitled to ensure
that what is criminal is not permitted on the premises. If teachers
suddenly seem authoritarian and like allies of the police, so much the
better. It doesn't mean that they will teach less well or even be less
well-liked.

. Mary Warnock is a philosopher