Thais
Joined: 07 Aug 2004
Location: UK
Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:39 am
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  Post subject: UK schools have random drug tests
I must say I didn't know that this happened!
Drug charity criticises Conservative promise to 'accelerate' drug testing in schools.
Responding to today’s speech by Shadow Home Secretary David Davis at the Conservative Party conference, DrugScope, the UK’s leading drug information charity, has attacked plans to increase random drug testing in schools. Although welcoming the pledge to increase the number of residential treatment places, the charity warns that failure to complete treatment should not mean an automatic route to prison.
Commenting on the announcements by Mr Davis the Chief Executive of DrugScope, Martin Barnes, said:
“To accuse the government of standing aside from the drug problem is surprising and inaccurate. Whilst we believe more should be done, we are in fact seeing record increases in funding to tackle drug misuse and provide treatment. Davis is right to highlight the drug problem but alarmist to warn of an increasing problem and a drug epidemic.
We do not accept that random drug testing in schools is a proportionate or effective response to drug use among children and young people. Testing risks driving drug use underground, an increase in truancy and exclusions and a breakdown in trust between schools and pupils.
Schools currently have the power to carry out drug tests, but an extensive process of consultation – with teachers, head teachers and schools drugs workers – showed strong opposition. Schools should be free to decide an appropriate response to drugs free from direct or indirect political pressure to test pupils.
On increasing residential rehabilitation places, Martin Barnes said:
“We welcome what is an ambitious commitment to increase the number of residential treatment places but failure to complete treatment should only mean prison if indeed a prison sentence was appropriate in the first place. Drug dependency is a chronic relapsing condition not suitable for a ‘one strike and you’re out’ response.
Increasing residential treatment will have significant cost implications. We believe it is the right investment, but treatment alone is not a solution to drug abuse.”
[DrugScope is the UK’s leading centre of expertise on drugs. Our aim is to inform policy and reduce drug-related risk. We provide quality information, promote effective responses to drug taking, undertake research at local, national and international level, advise on policy-making, encourage informed debate and speak for our member bodies working on the ground.]
Does anyone know if this is done in the US too?
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temi
Joined: 21 Aug 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:30 am
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Post subject:
You will be surprised why the youngster of this days get up to. I remember a survey that show an alarming level of substance abuse among school children in UK
Temi
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cloningOk
Joined: 25 Jul 2004
Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:36 am
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Post subject:
Quote:We do not accept that random drug testing in schools is a proportionate or effective response to drug use among children and young people. Testing risks driving drug use underground, an increase in truancy and exclusions and a breakdown in trust between schools and pupils.
I can kind of understand why this statement is made. In fact, Holland is handling drug problem so much better than probably most developed countries as they try to not enforce drug test and so forth. However, is it the best approach for children?
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