Drug Education News

The BBC report on random drug testing in a Nottinghamshire secondary school: “

A controversial drug testing project at a Nottinghamshire secondary school has been hailed as a success.

The National School in Hucknall introduced random drug testing two years ago.

Parents have backed the initiative in which two pupils are randomly tested each day.

Students also claim it gives them a reason to resist peer pressure and stay off drugs. Last year, just two pupils tested positive for cannabis. [more]

The BBC’s report does not mention any external evaluation to validate the claims of success.

The school’s website says:

The National School has chosen to specialise in drug education. This is not because the school has a major problem, but because we want to avoid one ever developing. We want to maintain a safe and secure site without parents worrying about whether their children are safe from the problem of drugs.

Our programme is two pronged. Firstly, we are providing a structured package which will give pupils as much information as possible, which is suitable for their age group. This will be done through a variety of methods including the use of outside agencies. Secondly we have embarked on a voluntary programme of random drug screening for Years 9-11 which will enable pupils to say ‘no’ to friends if tempted and will provide support for anyone who does get involved with drug use.

With these two approaches we will make pupils aware of their choices and their responsibilities, and help them to avoid the danger of drug abuse.

The BBC report that “Pupils can refuse the test but are told this would arouse suspicion.”

The DfES guidance for schools tells headteachers thinking about employing drug testing they must consider whether doing so is:

• is consistent with the pastoral responsibility of the school to create a supportive environment
• is culturally insensitive
• will lead to labelling and be damaging to pupils concerned
• will result in appropriate support for pupils most in need
• is feasible and an effective use of school resources, and those of the police, where involved.

Further reading:

Random drug testing of schoolchildren; A shot in the arm or a shot in the foot for drug prevention? Neil McKeganey, Joseph Roundtree Foundation 2005

Drug Testing in Schools Jenny McWhirter 2005