Pubdate: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) Copyright: 2000 The Sydney Morning Herald Contact: GPO Box 3771, Sydney NSW 2001 Fax: +61-(0)2-9282 3492 Website: http://www.smh.com.au/ Forum: http://forums.fairfax.com.au/ Author: Julia Baird STUDENT DRUG TESTS WIN MORE PRAISE Leading figures in the independent school sector came out in support of random drug testing of students yesterday. After a report that a growing number of private schools in Sydney had introduced the tests, the head of the Association of Independent Schools, Mr Terry Chapman, said anyone trying to find a solution to the complex problem should be applauded. "Theoretically, if the student is caught with drugs, by law they have to go to court," Mr Chapman said. "If the school is willing to try and find a better alternative, then we have to say good on them ... the goal of protecting young people and their education should be applauded." He said it was strange people should get "twitchy" about school students being tested. It was "much more compassionate and positive, an attempt to rehabilitate not punish". "How can anyone have a problem with that?" Mr Chapman said. Mr Duncan McInnes, the executive officer of the NSW Parents Council, said: "If it brings young people out of illicit drugs, or any deeper mire they have got into, it just might save their lives." - --- MAP posted-by: John Chase