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Source: Close Up
Labour says the Government must listen to the concerns of parents, teachers and the community and confront the issue of drug use.
Education spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says teaching young people about the harmful and lifelong effects of drug taking must be reinforced at home and in schools.
Mahuta said drug use is clearly a wider problem that is not limited to any one region or school.
"Calls for random drug testing should be carefully considered alongside other tools to eliminate the prevalence of drugs in New Zealand schools," she said.
"Compulsory random drug testing is one tool that should sit alongside drug education, peer mentoring initiatives and parenting support."
Mahuta said some schools want to take stronger action and the Government should show greater leadership, co-ordination and investment to tackle drugs in schools.
