School drugs tests 'not needed'

The UK Government will carry out research on school drug testing

Jersey's Education Director says the island does not need to follow the UK in testing school pupils for drugs.

In the UK, random drug testing of pupils is being introduced in secondary schools across Kent after a pilot scheme in Faversham.

Tom McKeon said such a move in Jersey would be a huge over-reaction.

However, he added that he wanted Jersey to continue teaching about the effects of drugs and ensuring pupils could go to teachers if they had any problems.

Random selection

Mr McKeon said: "We want good relationships between staff and children so that if there is a problem, either being experienced by an individual child or within the school community, children have got the confidence to speak to caring adults who will react appropriately."

He added that he wanted to also work on ensuring there was a good dialogue between pupils' homes and school.

In the UK, random drug testing of pupils is being introduced across Kent following the success of a pilot scheme at Abbey School in Faversham.

Pupils were randomly selected and tested by taking mouth swabs.

The school said it was one factor which led to record GCSE results in 2005.

The UK Government will commission research based on the Kent scheme to establish whether there is a direct link between random testing and behaviour, attendance and academic achievement.