Kelly last week told teaching union NASUWT's annual conference that atrial in Kent had been "hugely effective" in tackling drug abuse. Shesaid she had an "open mind" about extending drug tests nationwide.
Abbey School in Faversham, which has been running the trial sinceJanuary 2005, reported significant improvements to GCSE results sincetesting began.
However drug charities are warning schools to "think carefully" beforegoing down this road. Eric Carlin, vice-chair of the Drug EducationForum, said: "It has the potential to damage the relationship betweenteachers and pupils making communications about drugs moredifficult."
Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope also advised caution. Hesaid the "experiment has not been independently evaluated", adding:"Testing does not address the factors which can lead to problem druguse, such as poor school attendance, nor identify the childrenvulnerable to problem drug use."
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