In light of the Prime Minister's backing of random drugs tests in schools, this article provides a student's perspective; it calls for there to be greater awareness of students views and the creation of the English Secondary Students Association - a body to represent the views of secondary students at a National Level.
In an interview with the News of the World, Tony Blair supported the introduction of random drugs testing in schools around England. As a Year 13 student in a secondary school, I am outraged by such proposals.
Any attempt to curb the growing increase in drug use – especially in schools – should be applauded, however I am appalled by the prospect of random drugs tests being introduced.
The Prime Minister has placed the onus on schools to implement such testing if they feel it necessary, so one may be relieved that such a ludicrous proposal is not being made mandatory! However, the concept of students, most under the age of 16 being subjected to drugs tests, is worrying. They are supposed to be random, but how would they be applied? Would they be genuinely "random" or would they be aimed at particular pupils? There is too much scope for the system to be abused, with a consequent risk of children becoming wrongly victimised. Being tested for drugs use in itself has stigma associated with it: a gross injustice if the student involved is innocent.
There is also the matter of consent. For students under the age of 16 it is suggested that parental consent be obtained before tests or searches are undertaken. Even with such consent, the rights of the student to privacy, in accordance with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights may well be breached. And what if parents do not consent? What are the consequences if the student does not comply, even after parental consent is obtained?
The introduction of drug testing creates the potential for the same measures to be extended to underage tobacco and alcohol consumption – after all, they are both forms of drugs! Aren’t these matters the government want to tackle too? And if measures are being introduced for students, surely similar ones should be introduced for teachers themselves? What would the consequence be of testing positive to drug use? Would it lead to an increase in the numbers of pupils being excluded from school? If so, that in itself seems counterproductive to me; students need to be educated properly about the issues surrounding drug taking and need support given to overcome their problems.
The recent downgrading of cannabis only acts to further confuse the matter of drugs, sending mixed signals to young people. One must also ask whether it is in the school’s remit, as opposed to parents, to interfere in drug-taking which may occur out of school time, but does not affect a child’s education, yet causes a child to test positive for drug use.
It is my firm belief that government resources would be better spent on education, rehabilitation, and a drive to change young people’s attitudes towards drugs. The irony of the matter is that the new proposals place a burden of preventing drug abuse on schools, at a time when drugs education funding has been cut by government.
The media is saturated by comments from “parent organisations” and “teachers unions” about this, and many other education issues – but why does nobody ask those whom it will affect? Students need to be consulted on issues fundamental to their education and wellbeing. Most European countries have school student organisations, but England lags behind. It is high time that they had a body to represent them.
A group of committed students is currently working hard to build such an organisation: the English Secondary Students Association (ESSA). ESSA will act to represent students as key stakeholders in their own education, and embody the ideals of Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, by giving students the “right to express views freely in all matters affecting them”. At present, secondary students lack such a platform upon which their views can be freely expressed.
Students should be recognised as equal partners in their education, rather than viewed as guinea pigs who must comply with the whims of policy-makers. They should be a key part in consultation processes, helping to shape the proposals that affect them so profoundly.
We hope that ESSA will achieve these ends, and make it absolutely clear that even the youngest in our society has human rights.
www.studentvoice.co.uk will soon be the home of ESSA. For more information please contact Rajeeb Dey (National Co-ordinator of ESSA) at
rajeeb@studentvoice.co.uk ; Telephone: 07939 923 304 
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