Drug tests in school might be counterproductive, say activists

 

Schoolchildren might just take the easy option and drop out of school, rather than take a drug test, says Persatuan Pengasih Malaysia president Hafizi Harun.

PETALING JAYA: Several activists and a drug rehabilitation centre have voiced their concerns over a Perak association’s decision to conduct urine test programmes in schools.

Hafizi Harun, president of rehabilitation centre Persatuan Pengasih Malaysia, said conducting urine tests in schools might lead to an increase in the number of expulsions or students dropping out of school.

He said students who are found involved in substance abuse are often expelled or subjected to other disciplinary action, such as detention and exposure of their substance use among peers.

“Students who are using substances will do what they can to avoid testing. Dropping out would be an easy option for them,” Hafizi told FMT.

He added that the shame of testing positive will discourage students from seeking help and turn to substances that are undetectable in regular urine testing.

On Nov 19, the Perak chapter of anti-drug association Pemadam said it would work with the police and the national anti-drug agency to conduct urine screening programmes in schools to curb students’ involvement with substance abuse.

Perak state Pemadam chairman Azlan Helmi was reported saying: “Our approach is not to punish, more to save them from the drug menace.”

However, Charles Hector Fernandez of the Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture organisation (Madpet) said urine tests would damage the reputation of the schools involved.

“Even the parents might be seen as ‘bad’, sending their kids to school with a drug problem,” Fernandez said.

The human rights lawyer added that any authority wishing to conduct urine tests on children must first acquire “explicit consent” from parents or legal guardians.

“Yes, the urine test is legal, but it should only be carried out when there’s reasonable suspicion that the person to be tested has consumed drugs.

“When it comes to children, it cannot be done without explicit parental or legal guardian’s consent,” he added.

Early detection matters

Fouzi Singon of the National Union of the Teaching Profession said the government’s effort to implement an early prevention programme through urine tests should not be viewed negatively.

He added that early detection could save teenage schoolchildren from continued drug use as family members would be notified if the children tested positive in a urine test.

“Counselling can be provided. It only becomes an issue when the parents or families of the children refuse to accept that their child has been found positive for using substances,” Fouzi said. - FMT