Random drug tests in schools

Teenagers will be randomly tested for drugs at school under new Tory plans.

A war on drug abuse will be the top law and order priority for a Tory government, shadow home secretary David Davis was pledging today.

Pupils will undergo chemical tests at schools where drugs are thought to be a problem.

"Some people say that we've lost the war on drugs, I say we haven't begun to fight it," said Mr Davis. "Fighting it will be my top priority."

Addicts who steal to pay for drugs will be offered a choice of treatment or prison. Mr Davis denies rehabilitation is a soft option, saying: "The public is protected. The addict is encouraged to go straight and stay straight.

"If nothing is done, we will face a drugs epidemic, with terrible effects on our whole society."

A total of 18,000 extra places at residential drug rehabilitation centres will be created on top of the existing 2,000.

A recent survey suggested that as many as 100,000 children aged 13 to 15 in Britain had used cocaine.

Mr Davis said: "That's why we will support, encourage and accelerate the implementation of random drugtesting of pupils.

"Children need to know that it is not cool to use drugs. It's stupid, it's dangerous, it's illegal. And parents should know that the law will be enforced."