Drug test inquiry sparks outrage

Dave Patterson. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

A former Rotorua Boys High School board member believes heads should roll over its controversial drug testing methods.

Dave Patterson's call comes as more revelations about the testing are revealed in an investigation leaked to the Herald on Sunday.

The report into the drug testing allegations was ordered by the school's board of trustees, though they are refusing to release it.

The report reveals:

* Two staff members attempted to mislead the investigators on matters concerning drug testing procedure;

* Unreasonable search and seizure allegations were upheld;

* Students submitted to "degrading" treatment by having to strip to undertake tests;

* Lack of parental representation and investigative process in one case.

* A string of criticisms were upheld over the treatment of two students.

School principal Chris Grinter, however, yesterday said the report was wrong in claiming that staff misled investigators, but he refused to comment further.

Patterson said that after reading the report, he and other board members were shocked and "gobsmacked" no action had been taken against individuals.

A pupil at one of the school's hostels was made to strip to his underwear and drink up to 15 cups of water over a period of 90 minutes before he could urinate into a cup to do a drug test.

Another teenager was accused of possession of drugs and banned from the hostel, despite saying he was innocent. His family's pleas for an inquiry fell on deaf ears.

Patterson believes the investigation should be made public. He is backed by another former board member, Heinz Fett.

Rotorua BHS limited statutory manager Dennis Finn, who has been looking into the validity of the report's findings, is still refusing to comment publicly on it. He has been unwilling to apologise to parents.

He said there was nothing wrong with the "intent" of the school's former drug policies but he had sought to amend them and make them "clearer".

Meanwhile, lawyer Richard Harrison is being investigated by the New Zealand Law Society over a complaint of an alleged conflict of interest.

Harrison gave advice to Grinter as well as advising the school. Harrison believes he has done no wrong.

He does not believe the Education Act applies to hostels despite them being on school grounds, run by school staff and supported by the Education Ministry.

rachel.grunwell@hos.co.nz