Key findings from the NHS Information Centre’s survey on Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Among Young People in England in 2008 showed that 9.0% of pupils reported taking cannabis in the last year...

Published on 23 July, 2009, the report also highlighted the fact that whilst 3.6% of pupils had used at least one Class A drug in 2008, the prevalence of Class A drug used in the last year has remained relatively stable since 2001.  Even though 3% of pupils claimed that they usually took drugs at least once a month, the good news was that the overall use of drugs reported by 11 to 15 year olds since 2001 has decreased from 20% to 15% in 2008.Interestingly, but perhaps not surprisingly, the report also pointed out that vulnerable pupils, i.e. those who had truanted or had been excluded from school, were thought to take drugs more frequently than other pupils, and were also more likely to have taken Class A drugs in the last year.  On a positive note, however, the number of vulnerable pupils who were frequent drug users has also fallen in the last five years.

The use of Cannabis, for instance, can slow reactions and affect concentration and co-ordination.  It can also produce a sedative-like effect, causing fatigue.  As well as causing erratic behaviour, Cocaine can increase confidence and lead to people taking risks that they would not usually contemplate.  Sometimes, the after effects might resemble flu, with the person feeling lethargic and lacking in concentration.

Over confidence and risk taking is also associated with Ecstasy which makes the heart beat faster.  LSD, however, can speed up or slow down time and movement, whilst distorting colour, sound and objects.  As well as feeling panicky and confused, users often see objects that are not there at all.   Amphetamines such as Speed can make people feel wide-awake and excited to such an extent that they find it difficult to sit still and have difficulty sleeping. 

Guidance for Schools
DfES Guidance for Schools (2004) confirms that head-teachers are within their rights to test pupils on school premises and suggests that a number of issues are considered in the area of drug testing.  The guidance advises that drug testing should be consistent with the school’s responsibility to create a supportive environment and that it should result in appropriate support for pupils most in need.  It also asks schools to consider whether it is a feasible and effective use of school resources.  Another area of concern is that drug testing could lead to labelling and be damaging to the pupils involved.

Testing issues
Unlike the taking of blood or urine as a test method, the use of oral fluid (saliva) is quick, easy and will not cause embarrassment or invade privacy.  As an ultra-filtrate of the blood, oral fluid is scientifically recognised and is established in clinical chemical diagnostics.  In addition, by virtually excluding intended or unintended manipulation or falsification of the samples, oral fluid collection ensures the utmost confidence in the result. 

For screening purposes, tests such as the non-invasive Draeger DrugCheck Drug Testing Kit are quick and easy to use.  Enabling the simultaneous, qualitative detection of up to six classes of illegal substances in a single sample of oral fluid, the system comprises an oral fluid sampler, test tube and test strip.  The test indicates that the level of substance found in the oral fluid at that time may be above the cut-off level of the device.  Should the screening test show a positive result, a sample could then be retaken and sent to an approved laboratory for testing.

However, whilst screening will have an application in schools where drug taking by specific individuals is suspected, it can also lead to a positive result if a child has been taking drugs administered by a parent or doctor, such as codeine.  For this reason, some schools may prefer to avoid the issues surrounding an immediate result by using an oral swab test that can then be sent to laboratory for an unbiased, third party analysis.

Designed to collect, store and safely transport oral fluid samples for laboratory analysis, the Draeger DCD 5000, for example, is ideal for use where an immediate preliminary result is neither required nor desirable. 

Simple, hygienic and reliable, it can be used to take a quick, easily obtained sample that is both pain and stress free.  The sample can then be sealed, labelled and sent for a standard laboratory analysis which will reliably detect the smallest amounts of illegal drugs. 

Ideal for use in conjunction with a schools drugs policy, these tests are not only low in cost, but their existence may also enable more pupils to say “no” with the excuse that they may be the next to be tested.

By Mark Burrup, Draeger Safety UK
Further information is available from David Fenton, Draeger Safety UK Limited, Ullswater Close, Blyth Riverside Business Park, Blyth, Northumberland NE24 4RG. 
Tel: 01670 352891.  Fax: 01670 356266