22nd November 2006

We are deeply disappointed that Parmjit Dhanda has refused to rule out random drug testing in schools (8/11/06). Head teachers like Lawrence Montagu of St Peter's Catholic High (Gloucester) are absolutely right that such testing is likely to lead to problems.

Two major US studies confirm that student testing doesn't reduce drug use and in some cases is counter-productive(i). Indeed the Government's own Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, recommends that drug testing shouldn't be used in schools because of the potential impact on the pupil-teacher relationship and because of the complex technical and organisational and ethical issues that surround it (ii).

Drug testing is another example of children being treated as criminals without the need for evidence. As The Citizen reported recently already 1,400 children in Gloucestershire have their DNA held on file without ever having committed a crime (iii). If we don't show children respect how will they learn it?

Limited resources should be focussed on more serious problems like alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol abuse is killing about 22,000 people in the UK each year and cigarettes cause about 86,000 premature deaths per year. We should also be investing in keeping children out of the criminal justice system like parenting projects and youth work. This approach has been shown to be cost-effective and work - in sharp contrast drug-testing in schools.

Cllr Martin Whiteside
Hillside, Claypits Lane, Thrupp, Stroud
Stroud District Green Party Parliamentary Spokesperson



Notes:

(i) See discussion re US testing:
http://www.slate.com/id/2138399/
(ii) Vivienne Edwards from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs said: "Our recommendation is that drug testing shouldn't be used in schools because of the potential impact on the pupil-teacher relationship and because of the complex technical and organisational and ethical issues that surround it."
(iii) See Glos Green party news release:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1475&Itemid=2
See also Glos Green party news release on drug testing in schools:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1273&Itemid=2