In the past few months, drug abuses in schools seem to become most commonplace. People are no longer stunned when hearing that students are taking drugs in their classrooms. The government has been alerted to this problem and has introduced a voluntary drug-testing scheme for secondary schools, to be tried out in Tai Po first. To stop teenagers from taking drugs is undoubtedly a matter of urgency and importance. The scheme is an active step and response from the government to deal with the problem and is therefore worth supporting.
Firstly, the scheme will help identify students who are abusing drugs. Though voluntary in nature, students who repeatedly escape from the drug tests will arouse suspicions in people’s minds. It is a sign that these students may have taken drugs. Parents and teachers can then pay special attention to them and notice them if they have any strange behaviour, such as staying in their bedrooms for some hours or being in a dream-like state all day long. So, the scheme actually provides a chance, for people to help or force the drug abusers to abstain from this illicit and dangerous habit, before they sink deeper into the pit without being found.
Secondly, the scheme can act as a deterrent to teenagers who do not abuse drugs. While their friends may lure them to attempt drugs and they are under a lot of temptation, the drug-testing scheme allows them to be more determined in resisting getting into trouble. In case they are picked for the drug tests, they will be found innocent surely if they have never abused drugs. The scheme can discourage students from starting to take drugs simply because of curiosity or on impulse.
Thirdly, the operation of the scheme will fully demonstrate our willingness and resolution to deal with the problem of drug abuse, not just from those in schools but also from the whole of Hong Kong. Running such a scheme costs the government much time and money. It obviously tells the public that the government will by all means combat the crime of drug abuse. On the contrary, if the scheme is not carried out or no measure is taken against drug abuse, it makes no difference to leaving the problem to intensify and conniving with the drug dealers. Moreover, the scheme reveals the seriousness of the crime and raises public awareness against it in turn, which can encourage the citizens to report the drug dealing and taking activities.
One main reason for the opposition of the scheme is the issue of privacy, since the information on the students taking the tests will be known to some people. However, the information will only be sent to social workers. The operational arm of the police can obtain no information on whether the students have abused drugs or not. A balance is already struck between the crackdown on drug abuse and privacy, so there is no need to watch the scheme with much apprehension.
In a recent survey, 70% of the parents interviewed and 50% of the students declared that they welcomed the drug-testing scheme, hoping it to extend to areas outside Tai Po. The scheme favours both students and parents, as well as the whole society of Hong Kong. I sincerely support it and hope for its success.