The study calls for testing to be delayed until there is better evidence of its benefits and warns that the system could encourage some pupils to switch from drugs that stay in the body for a relatively long time, like cannabis, to drugs that are removed from the body faster, including heroin.
Neil McKeganey, professor of drug misuse research at the University of Glasgow, said the issue was ethically complex, despite endorsement from the Labour and Conservative parties.
The report found that very few independent evaluations of school drug testing programmes have been conducted and that evidence from those that had taken place was inconclusive. McKeganey also questions whether the approach complies with the UN Charter on the Rights of the Child.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
