HONG KONG: Social workers, principals, teachers and students raised doubts yesterday over the proposed drug testing trial scheme to be launched in Tai Po secondary schools later this year.

Max Szeto Ming-wong, the convener of the Network on Substance Abuse Service at the Council of Social Service, said social workers met yesterday to discuss the government's detailed proposal and many expressed worries about the effectiveness of the scheme.

"Lots of social workers are worried that only well-behaved students will turn up for the test, while those who take drugs will skip school," he said. "Some students may run away from school for a few days after taking drugs."

"Some students who refuse to take the test in the name of standing up for their human rights or other reasons may also be stigmatized," Szeto said.

He said that although urine drug testing is more economical, it is the most undesirable of the various drug testing methods.

"Students can cheat easily and decide not to offer a real urine sample," he said.

In addition to possible switching of one sample with someone else's under lapses of supervision, the samples can yield false negatives if certain adulterants are added or if sufficient quantities of water are ingested to dilute the urine.

Szeto called on the government to introduce a saliva drug test in schools instead and shelve the trial scheme in Tai Po until the loopholes are plugged.

Ho Hin-ming, the chairman of the Tai Po Youth Services Joint Meeting, in which youth centers and social workers providing outreaching service take part, said he has reservations about the proposed program, inasmuch as it is not completely voluntary.

"If students say no to the test, they have to explain to their parents, teachers and school social workers. This will impose pressure on them," he said.

He also raised doubts on the accuracy of the screening test, as the government admitted that false positive results may occur in the testing.

Mok Wai-kei, the vice-principal of the Ling Liang Church M. H. Lau Secondary School, said in a bid to avoid students from feeling bad about taking the drug test, more counseling and anti-drug education is needed before the scheme kicks off. A teacher at a secondary school in Tai Po who wished to remain anonymous said she supports the scheme, but fears there will be a greater workload.

Lee Tsz-huen, 13, from the Carmel Holy Word Secondary School in Tai Po, said he opposes the plan. "It is just a waste of time," he said. "Drug abusers won't kick the habit, even if they test positive. It is not a simple task."

Although 14-year-old student Miyako Wong, from the same school, said she backs the scheme, she suggested that the external drug test team needs to visit each school only once a month on average.

A government spokesman said he feels that all Tai Po secondary schools back the drug test scheme, noting that no school has as yet declined to introduce the test.

(HK Edition 08/07/2009 page1)