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Random Drug Testing

Volume 455: debated on Tuesday 9 January 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what research has been conducted by his Department into the (a) social, (b) ethical and (c) moral implications of random drug testing in high schools; (110357)

(2) how much has been spent on random drug testing in high schools;

(3) what the results were of random drug testing in high schools, by classification of drugs found;

(4) what proportion of high schools practise random drug testing; and what method of testing is used.

Schools do not have to inform the Department if they wish to introduce drug testing for pupils. However, we know of three maintained schools which have tested pupils for drugs. We do not collect information on how much is being spent by schools on drug testing, the methods being used or the results of these tests. The Department has not commissioned research into the effectiveness of drug testing but is working with Kent local authority to carry out an evaluation of drug testing in schools.