The introduction of voluntary random drugs and alcohol checks in schools could be difficult because a random test "of its nature is not voluntary in the normal way", according to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
He was responding to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny who had asked if he would support a "voluntary scheme of random drug and alcohol testing in second level schools where teachers, parents and students want such a scheme to be implemented".
Mr Kenny said that the Taoiseach had "played down the extent of drug abuse throughout the country", but a Unicef report on child wellbeing in rich countries indicated that 20 per cent of children under 16 smoked cannabis in the past 12 months.
"I have been dealing with parents, teachers and boards of management for a long time and there is a growing concern about the toll being taken on young people's development by the abuse of drugs and alcohol by some in second-level school," he said.
Mr Ahern said that where minors are concerned the agreement of parents is necessary. Any indication that such a scheme was compulsory would create difficulties. "I do not know the extent to which Deputy Kenny thought this through, although I generally support what he is saying, but he continually mentioned random and voluntary checks. A random check is not voluntary in the normal way." He supported "the concept of anything that helps to eliminate and control drugs".
