Most schools rule out random drug tests

Local high schools are already drug testing students with a record of illegal drug use - but most principals believe subjecting all pupils to random drug tests would be "casting the net too wide".

The comments come after a former police officer suggested to a select committee that random drug testing for students, combined with intervention, treatment and education, be set up.

Mike Sabin, a specialist methamphetamine consultant and educator, made the suggestions as part of a get-tough plan to tackle New Zealand's drug problem.

He said New Zealand's national drug policy was failing and presented a report with 21 recommendations including special courts with the power to force addicts into treatment, random compulsory testing for students and workplace screening.



However, local principals spoken to by the Daily Post said the proposal of subjecting all students to random drug tests went too far.

John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh said many schools were already drug testing those who had been dealt with for drug use. Random drug testing was often a requirement for their re-entry to school.

Mr Walsh, who is also an education law expert, said he believed that system worked well and was sufficient for schools.

He believed drug-testing students disciplined over drug use would hold up to any legal challenge and was entirely reasonable and lawful. However, Mr Walsh said he believed testing all students would be a breach of the Bill of Rights.

Testing students who had no suggestion or involvement with illegal drugs was "casting the net too wide", he said.

Rotorua Lakes High School principal Bruce Walker agreed the testing of students disciplined for drug use worked well.

Mr Walker said from what he had heard, he was a bit uncomfortable with the proposal to test all students.

However, Taupo-Nui-a-Tia principal Peter Moyle said he wasn't ruling out the idea.

Mr Moyle said he would be interested in seeing the research to back up the idea before making any calls on whether it was something he would consider.

"I'm not adverse to it at all but the devil is in the detail."

Mr Moyle said some random drug testing was carried out at the college already for students who had been caught with drugs.

He said it was done on a case-by-case basis and in conjunction with counselling - something he believed needed to go hand-in-hand with the testing.

"It would be interesting to see the logistics. I suspect some parents would be quite offended."

However, Mr Moyle said he was unsure the random drug testing would work.

"Adolescents being adolescents, I think a lot will take the gamble and carry on their merry way."



Cabinet Minister Jim Anderton, who is in charge of drug policy, said the Government was taking methamphetamine extremely seriously.

"We are well aware of the level of harm it causes in our communities," he said.

"This government has worked hard to coordinate the response of all government agencies working in this area and we have poured extra resources into it."

He did not think compulsory testing was feasible, saying courts had ruled against it in the past.

- additional reporting NZPA