This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6117786.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Plan for school drug-test trials Plan for school drug-test trials
(about 1 hour later)
School pupils could be tested for drugs as part of a new study to assess whether it can affect behaviour, attendance and academic achievement. School pupils could be tested for drugs as part of a new study to assess whether such moves affect behaviour, attendance and academic achievement.
The government is asking schools in England and Wales to sign up to a six-month trial in January.The government is asking schools in England and Wales to sign up to a six-month trial in January.
Head teachers who have already tried random, voluntary drug-testing say it has had a positive effect.Head teachers who have already tried random, voluntary drug-testing say it has had a positive effect.
But the government's own drug advisory panel has raised concerns about the ethical and legal issues involved.But the government's own drug advisory panel has raised concerns about the ethical and legal issues involved.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has recommended that random drug-testing be abandoned. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which also believes there has been a lack of evidence that testing is effective, has recommended that random tests be abandoned.
Others have voiced fears that it will label some youngsters as having a drug problem. 'Extreme measure'
But head teachers who have tried random, but voluntary testing say it gives children the power to say "no" to drugs outside school and improves attendance rates and behaviour. Charity DrugScope has also previously warned that testing in schools is an "extreme measure" which may drive abuse underground.
The plans comes amid research which suggests around one in four children have tried drugs by the age of 15. The warning, in May, followed news that secondary schools in Kent would be carrying out tests as part of a pilot scheme.
Under the voluntary procedure, a saliva sample supplied by a pupil can enable tests for cannabis, amphetamines, morphine and cocaine. DrugScope says there is no evidence to suggest such testing has lowered drugs use and such "intrusive programmes" are inappropriate in the context of a school.
However, some head teachers who have tried random, voluntary testing say it gives children the power to say "no" to drugs outside school and improves attendance rates and behaviour by making people feel safer.
Last year, Peter Walker, head teacher of Abbey School in Faversham, Kent, which began testing pupils at the beginning of 2004, said he believed it had contributed to an all-time high in GCSE pass rates.
In 2005, 40% of pupils achieved five good GCSE passes, compared with 26% in the previous year and 32% the year before.
Saliva sample
The government plans comes amid research which suggests around one in four children have tried drugs by the age of 15.
Under the voluntary procedure, a saliva sample supplied by a pupil can be tested for traces of cannabis, amphetamines, morphine and cocaine.
Results can be achieved in about 20 minutes.Results can be achieved in about 20 minutes.
The child, or their parents on their behalf, can refuse a test at any time.The child, or their parents on their behalf, can refuse a test at any time.
In September the Scottish Executive insisted that it had no plans to introduce random drug testing into schools.In September the Scottish Executive insisted that it had no plans to introduce random drug testing into schools.
It came after the Headteachers' Association of Scotland (HAS) backed calls from a drugs expert to introduce random checks.It came after the Headteachers' Association of Scotland (HAS) backed calls from a drugs expert to introduce random checks.
The body's general secretary, Bill McGregor, said: "If there is a possibility of a deterioration in the drugs scene then drugs testing should not simply be ruled out."