SCHOOL bosses say they are cool to the idea of drug testing in classrooms, stressing education is a more effective way of tackling the menace.

Random drug testing is being introduced in secondary schools across Kent on the back of a successful pilot scheme in the county.

Over the year, 600 random drug tests were carried out on pupils aged between 11 and 18. Only one child tested positive for cannabis during the pilot scheme at Abbey School, in Faversham.

Staff at the school have hailed the results stressing the drug tests have acted as a deterrent.

Pupils were randomly selected and tested by taking mouth swabs.

There is a chance the Department for Education and Skills will push for the scheme to be adopted nationwide with the government department currently evaluating the impact of the scheme, now being set up by Kent County Council.

Other UK schools have also brought in sniffer dogs in a bid to flush out drug use among pupils.

But education bosses at both Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen today said although they have not ruled out drug testing and will scrutinise findings of the Kent school pilot, education was the best tool in the fight against drugs.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for children's services said: "Our emphasis is on education and raising awareness of the risks involved in using drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, so young people can make an informed choice.

"All our schools are working towards achieving healthy schools status, which includes drug education explaining what drugs are, issues around illegal drugs and exploring young people's attitudes and values towards drugs and this work is being mirrored in local mosques. We also run drug information and awareness sessions for parents and are supporting schools in drafting effective policies around drugs."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council stressed: "Lancashire County Council has a long standing commitment to supporting schools in developing drug education programmes which is a major component of drug prevention."

Alan Whittaker, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for schools said: "My understanding is the Kent scheme was a one-off but we will of course be looking at the findings before finding an appropriate course of action for Lancashire.

" We are always looking at these issues and the most effective policies to educate and protect the well being of our children in schools."