Pubdate: Wed, 28 May 2003
Source: Northern Advocate (New Zealand)
Contact:  2003 Northern Advocate.
Website: 
http://www.wilsonandhorton.co.nz/wh_companies/newspapers/northern_advocate.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2929
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG-TESTING OF STUDENTS AT KAITAIA COLLEGE GETS GO-AHEAD

Kaitaia College has voted to go ahead with testing suspended students for 
methamphetamine use.

The Kaitaia College board of trustees unanimously agreed on Tuesday night 
to adopt urine tests to see if suspended students are taking 
methamphetamine, also known as speed, or its pure form P.

Local police had earlier raised concerns about Kaitaia youth taking the drug.

Kaitaia College principal William Tailby said the board's decision followed 
three weeks of community consultation which yielded 15 responses, all in 
favour of testing.

Mr Tailby said the board's disciplinary committee could now drug-test 
suspended students for methamphetamine as a condition of their 
reinstatement at school.

It complemented the existing tests for cannabis and would work under the 
Suspension Act, he said.

The school sent parents a questionnaire about the tests.

Mr Tailby said earlier that from the replies to the survey received so far, 
all supported the move.

The school is to pay for the tests.

Users would probably be reported to the local police because police were 
already made aware of those stood down or suspended, he said.

The soaring use of P, which has been linked with a number of high-profile 
violent crimes, led Parliament to reclassify it as a Class A drug, meaning 
manufacturers and dealers can face a life sentence.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager