HONG KONG: Amid controversy and outright criticism of the government's soon-to-be-introduced voluntary school drug testing program, Secretary for Justice Wong Yan-lung predicts the program will yield valuable results. He noted there is a growing problem of youth drug abuse and that because of the gravity of the problem, the pilot program will be implemented in Tai Po in December, in part to fill a loophole arising from limitations placed on law enforcement.

Volleys of criticism and many doubts about the program were raised after Secretary for Education Michael Suen presented details of the program to principals and teachers of the 23 secondary schools in Tai Po that will take part in the drug testing.

Among the chief criticisms was that since the program is voluntary, only students who don't use drugs would agree to be tested. Kids who were on drugs would either refuse to take the tests or simply stay away from school, the argument held.

Wong said at a media gathering that the main purpose of the program is not to detect and punish students with drug abuse problems. Instead, he said it would serve as a preventive measure or deterrent to students who feel tempted to experiment with drugs.

"We know that peer pressure is the main reason that young people contact drugs," he said. "If there is a drug testing program in force, it will make them think twice. In the absence of such a scheme, they will be tempted more easily."

Wong disagreed with the criticism that the voluntary testing would be relevant only for students who don't use drugs. "I am not that pessimistic. Let's wait longer to see how it works," he said.

Wong explained that police liaison officers will not be allowed to use test results to prosecute students found to have used drugs. Schools and police will not be permitted to publicize the names of students who refuse to take the test.

Wong believed compulsory drug testing is a controversial issue that requires statutory enforcement, adding that the government is preparing a consultation paper to seek public opinion.

(HK Edition 08/08/2009 page4)