poledriver
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Marijuana bust at elite The Southport School after students forced into random drug tests
TWO students have been busted for drugs at one of Queensland's top private schools after it controversially introduced random drug tests.
The Southport School says the results are proof its mandatory drug testing regime is helping deter substance abuse among pupils.
TSS introduced drug tests last year, sparking criticism from civil libertarians who said the policy could breach international human rights laws. Some parents also voiced concerns about privacy but the elite Gold Coast boys' school pushed ahead with the drug tests and is continuing them this year.
Students in Years 8 to 12 are chosen at random and taken to a toilet block to provide a urine sample, which is coded and analysed by accredited testers.
Tests are being carried out throughout the year, often after school holidays, "to encourage healthy habits", headmaster Greg Wain told The Sunday Mail.
Mr Wain said two students had been busted for marijuana use, out of about 200 boys tested so far. He said one had tested positive and the other confessed as he was about to be tested, but neither student was expelled, with a two-strikes-and-you're-out policy in place at TSS. "The policy is designed to be compassionate, as it includes a non-punitive counselling stage,'' Mr Wain said.
"Should a boy test positive, in the first instance, it will be treated as a confidential counselling matter between the boy, headmaster and parents. Help, counselling and a second chance will be provided.
"Should a boy test positive again, it will be assumed he is not serious about being part of a drug-free community and he'll forfeit his place at the school."
Mr Wain said drug tests had "overwhelming support" from parents and students. He said students were using the policy as an excuse to say no to drugs at parties.
Mr Wain said no other schools had followed TSS's lead but several were interested. Brisbane's Anglican Church Grammar School, "Churchie", also has random drug tests but only for suspected drug users or those expelled from another school for substance abuse.
The Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs has expressed doubts on the effectiveness of school drug tests, saying they "achieve little" and are "extremely costly".
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/.../story-fnihsrf2-1226821475424#social-comments
TWO students have been busted for drugs at one of Queensland's top private schools after it controversially introduced random drug tests.
The Southport School says the results are proof its mandatory drug testing regime is helping deter substance abuse among pupils.
TSS introduced drug tests last year, sparking criticism from civil libertarians who said the policy could breach international human rights laws. Some parents also voiced concerns about privacy but the elite Gold Coast boys' school pushed ahead with the drug tests and is continuing them this year.
Students in Years 8 to 12 are chosen at random and taken to a toilet block to provide a urine sample, which is coded and analysed by accredited testers.
Tests are being carried out throughout the year, often after school holidays, "to encourage healthy habits", headmaster Greg Wain told The Sunday Mail.
Mr Wain said two students had been busted for marijuana use, out of about 200 boys tested so far. He said one had tested positive and the other confessed as he was about to be tested, but neither student was expelled, with a two-strikes-and-you're-out policy in place at TSS. "The policy is designed to be compassionate, as it includes a non-punitive counselling stage,'' Mr Wain said.
"Should a boy test positive, in the first instance, it will be treated as a confidential counselling matter between the boy, headmaster and parents. Help, counselling and a second chance will be provided.
"Should a boy test positive again, it will be assumed he is not serious about being part of a drug-free community and he'll forfeit his place at the school."
Mr Wain said drug tests had "overwhelming support" from parents and students. He said students were using the policy as an excuse to say no to drugs at parties.
Mr Wain said no other schools had followed TSS's lead but several were interested. Brisbane's Anglican Church Grammar School, "Churchie", also has random drug tests but only for suspected drug users or those expelled from another school for substance abuse.
The Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs has expressed doubts on the effectiveness of school drug tests, saying they "achieve little" and are "extremely costly".
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/.../story-fnihsrf2-1226821475424#social-comments
