Teachers' worry over drug tests

Teachers have expressed concern about Tony Blair's plan to allow random drugs tests on school children.

Head teachers will have the power to offer treatment to young users, exclude them or report offenders to police.

The head of the NASUWT teaching union said testing was a "last resort", which could alter the relationship between teacher and pupil.

Another teachers' leader said the proposals may lead to legal action by pupils against staff.

However a parents' group said it was "cautiously positive" about the plans, which will be introduced in the form of guidelines for schools in England next month.

Eamonn O'Kane, general secretary of NASUWT, said drug testing would be a "very big step" for any head teacher to take.