DRUG TESTING MOOTED FOR SCHOOL PUPILS

Ashburton: Drug testing could be a regular feature at Mount Hutt College in
mid-Canterbury if parents support a drug-testing policy proposed by the
board of trustees.

The draft "Illegal Drugs Testing Policy" was sent to parents for
consultation this week.

The policy will effectively give the school the power to ask pupils to
submit to a drug test if there is a suspicion they are affected by or under
the influence of illegal drugs.

Acting principal Ian Sawers said the college acknowledged illegal drugs were
prevalent in society, posing a problem for all schools both in and outside
of the school gate.

Mr Sawers said drug use outside the school was not a discipline issue, but
the policy aimed to address the impact of drugs on pupils' achievement and
behaviour at school.

"The board and the staff want to be up-front on the whole issue. Use of
illegal drugs plays no part in the education of our students and their
health and well-being," Mr Sawers said.

A drug-testing policy would allow the school to act in the best interests of
pupils' health and well-being, Mr Sawers said.

If the pupil and family were prepared to take part in counselling and
education and a drug-testing regime, the pupil would continue to be educated
at the school. Mr Sawers said the policy would help prevent pupils
succumbing to peer pressure.