Random Drug Testing: The Debate

Description

The headteacher at Abbey School, Faversham, plans to implement a random drug-testing policy. He's one of three people favouring testing in the debate, while three others have serious reservations, in this whole-school video.

Peter Walker shows he will not easily be diverted from implementing testing, but it becomes clear he has not resolved all of the legal and ethical dilemmas the introduction of the new policy will raise.

The scheme supports Every Child Matters and human health and safety, but many complex issues must be resolved before random drug testing can be introduced. Controversy is likely to simmer among staff, students and teachers for some time.

This video addresses whether drug testing will damage the trust that schools spend a long time establishing. Other key points include who the school would tell if a student tested positive for a class A drug, and whether testing in the school will provide pupils with a reason to say "no"when offered drugs?

Part of the series: School Matters