Elite Gold Coast school considers random drug testing for students

The Southport School Headmaster Greg Wain says the school is considering random drug testing for students.
Picture: Glenn Hampson Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

ONE of the Australia's most prestigious schools is considering rolling-out random saliva and urine tests for students to weed-out party drug use.

The drug-testing regime which would target random students each term, would be based on a two-strike policy with counselling offered first and a student expelled for a second offence.

The controversial program is being considered by the headmaster of The Southport School, an elite private Aglican boys school in Queensland, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

Under the school's current policy any student found in possession of drugs is kicked out of school.

The regime is intended to send a strong message to the school's students that they should steer clear of party drugs.

Headmaster Greg Wain said the school had recorded drug-related incidents off campus every 18-months to two years, which was 'much less' than other schools.

"It's always something that started outside school on holidays that's why we're doing testing," Mr Wain said.

"We don't have a problem here, but the boys have a problem in the holidays on the weekends when they sometimes go to large parties and these things (drugs) are available."

TSS will host an information forum for parents next week.

-  Gold Coast Bulletin