BLAIR FACES FIGHT OVER SCHOOL DRUG TESTS

TONY BLAIR faces a wave of opposition from across the teaching profession
over his plans for random drugs testing in schools.

The move - which could see sniffer dogs in classrooms and pupils being
ordered to give urine samples - was greeted with a mixture of confusion and
dismay.

The Prime Minister disclosed in an interview with the News of the World
that guidance would be issued to head teachers next month on how to tackle
pupils they suspect of drug taking.

He said that the guidelines, being drawn up by the Department for Education
and Skills (DfES), would "specifically" give head teachers the power to
carry out spot tests within their schools. The measures are part of a
UKP1.5 billion programme to be rolled out over the next two years to tackle
drug abuse among young people.

It could see children as young as 14 years old being tested for drugs if
they are arrested for offences such as burglary, robbery or shoplifting.

Mr Blair also used the interview to quash speculation that he was preparing
to stand down as Prime Minister, insisting that he would lead Labour into
the next General Election.

"You have people kicking lumps out of you, but you can live with it, and I
do," he said.

"Whatever the problems and pressures this is an immensely enjoyable and
fulfilling job and I intend to carry on doing it. I will be putting myself
forward."

Although the DfES indicated earlier this year that guidelines were being
prepared for headteachers, the decision to include random drugs tests
appeared to catch many teachers by surprise.

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of the Professional Association of
Teachers, said that there had been no chance to discuss the plan.

"My first reaction was to be fairly horrified, mostly because I cannot
quite see how on earth it is going to work," she said. "Litigation is rife
when teachers are deemed to have done anything intrusive that parents or
young people are not happy with."