PRIVATE SCHOOL TO DRUG-TEST PUPILS CAUGHT WITH CANNABIS

THREE pupils at one of Scotland's leading private schools, who were
caught smoking cannabis, are to face a programme of random drug tests.

The action is to be taken at George Watson's College in Edinburgh
after photographs of the pupils smoking cannabis and drinking were
found at a beauty spot.

The principal of the exclusive school yesterday said he had taken the
decision in order to "support as well as admonish" the pupils
concerned, but insisted there were no plans to introduce random drug
testing for all pupils.

The move comes amid a wider debate about the introduction of random
testing in Scottish schools. Some argue it would help tackle the
problem of pupils having access to alcohol and drugs.

Proposals to give state headteachers powers to test pupils were
signalled by Tony Blair in an interview earlier this year.

Jack McConnell, the First Minister, indicated the measures would be
implemented in Scotland, saying he "would not tolerate a regime that
was weaker" than that adopted in England and Wales. But parents and
teachers' leaders have dismissed the plans as unworkable and
nonsensical.

An investigation at George Watson's was launched after the pictures
were handed into the school earlier this week.

The pack of photos showed a group of boys - all aged 16 or under -
smoking cannabis, clutching beers and lying on the ground, apparently
drunk. In some of the images, individual boys were wearing their
uniforms. The pictures were found blowing around a disused quarry in
the Blackford area by a woman out walking.

The pupils concerned have been suspended but not excluded from the
school, which is one of the largest in Europe, with 2,300 pupils.

In a statement released yesterday, Gareth Edwards, principal of the
school, said: "When this information was brought to our attention, our
first responsibility was to investigate the matter thoroughly.

"In liaison with community police, and with the parents fully
informed, appropriate measures have now been taken.

"George Watson's College operates a zero-tolerance policy towards the
supply or taking of drugs on school premises or on a school-related
activity.

"As this took place in a private dwelling outwith school hours, the
school has decided not to exclude pupils permanently.

"However, the sanctions imposed - which include suspension and a
programme of random drug testing in the future - reflect the
seriousness with which we regard this matter.

"It is inappropriate to provide further details, given that the
safeguarding of privacy falls within our duty of care to young people."

Speaking later to The Scotsman, Mr Edwards added: "We have a
responsibility to bring pupils into adult life with an awareness of
the wide range of choices that are available to them as they learn how
to deal with responsibilities.

"We have a duty of care to our pupils and to help them understand the
mistakes they make. I believe the sanctions imposed reflect the
seriousness of the situation but support as well as admonish those
involved.

"I must emphasise that we have no plans to introduce random drug
testing to all pupils and that debate is a separate issue."

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "I can confirm that
one of our community officers is dealing with the matter at the
appropriate level."

In 2000, two third-year pupils caught with cannabis were disciplined
at George Watson's, which charges fees of up to UKP 7,104 a year.

Proposals to introduce random drug testing to Scottish state schools
were greeted with horror by teachers' leaders earlier this year.

Alan Smith, president of the Scottish School Boards Association, said
in February that he believed there were already sufficient powers for
schools to tackle the minority involved in drug-taking, and said the
move would create "distrust, lack of privacy and lack of respect".

The Headteachers' Association of Scotland and the Scottish School
Teachers Association said random testing was unnecessary.

David Eaglesham, SSTA general secretary, said that schools did not
have the resources for a drug-testing system.

"In practical terms, this is quite nonsensical to suggest that schools
are in any way equipped to deal with this kind of situation," he added.

Scotland Against Drugs also said the approach was unnecessary, since
training for teachers in drug issues was already widespread in Scotland.