Kawerau College principal Steve Hocking has rejected random drug tests for pupils, believing too many would show positive through passive smoking - breathing in cannabis smoke from adults.
The large amount of cannabis in the community meant young people were often breathing in cannabis smoke from adult smokers, Mr Hocking said.
He knew of some parents who smoked marijuana in front of their children.
"Sometimes parents are more smashed than their kids when they come in for an interview."
But a doctor at the Addiction Resource Centre, Nelson Sucgang, said passive smoking would not produce a positive result.
The levels of cannabis compounds in passive smokers were nowhere near those found in direct users.
Mr Hocking said that in his view random testing would not be reliable.
However, if there were indisputable evidence that the tests were reliable, he would consider using them.
"But at this stage I would rather get the police to bring in their drug dogs."
Drugs were a major concern in the community, he said. All of the five suspensions at his Eastern Bay of Plenty school this year had been for drugs.
"It's so depressing talking about the issue of drugs and the impact it's having on young people, their brain and their development."
At least three Bay of Plenty schools have introduced random tests following a growing number of drug-related suspensions and expulsions.
Last year, nearly 200 students in the region were suspended for drugs.
Students were allowed back at school only if they agreed to random testing.
Mr Hocking was confident the school was successfully dealing with drugs without the tests.
"Of those students suspended, all have come back to school. They have all been on a daily report for a five-week period.
"Every teacher has to sign the report, which shows they are alert, at school and are not under the influence of drugs. We also insist they get drug counselling.
"That is monitored by the deputy principal, and we are seeing improvements."
John Paul College principal Bede Roughton said he brought in random testing this year after four students were suspended for drugs.
Although he was not 100 per cent sure if passive smokers showed positive results, he had confidence in urine tests by doctors.
Fifteen students from Edgecumbe College agreed to random drug testing last year, the principal's secretary, Pat Taylor, said. This year 10 students had been regularly tested.
The school had been very pleased with the change in students' attitudes.
Rotorua Lakes High has a drug policy in place which allowed boards to random drug test, but the school had not needed to use the procedure, said principal John Ellis.
The tests cost $22.50 each. Schools meet that cost if the result is negative.
When there are positive results, the parents of the offending students pay.
Dr Sucgang said schools should not be put off random drug testing for fear of inaccuracy. But he was concerned many parents could not afford the tests.
- NZPA
School rejects drug tests
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.