The National Drug Commission's plan to test schoolchildren for substance abuse would not threaten human rights, chairman Mr. Mansfield (Jim) Brock said yesterday.

Mr. Brock stressed the NDC was not recommending mandatory drug testing.

Instead, the Commission wanted testing when there was evidence that a student was involved in drugs.

"What we are recommending is testing for cause,'' said Mr. Brock.

His comments come amid concern over the human rights implications of the NDC's proposal.

The Bermuda Union of Teachers' general secretary Sen. Milton Scott warned civil liberties should be considered.

And president of the National Parent-Teacher Association Mr. Ross Smith agreed.

He revealed the National PTA was discussing with the Department of Education ways of curbing the drug problem.

Yesterday, however, Mr. Brock believed the concerns were expressed under the assumption the Commission wanted mandatory testing.

"What we are saying is there should be testing for cause in the same way the Police have the power to test a driver who is driving erratically.'' He added: "We are recommending testing for cause.'' Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill also sought to dampen fears about human rights violations.

He said drug testing had been around for some time, but it was not a "simple, straight forward issue''.

"Obviously there are human rights issues.'' Mr. Dill believed ultimately there would be drug testing, but it was important to take stock and consider the issue carefully.

There was no way, he emphasised, Government would put in place a system which would trample on human rights.

Mr. Dill also answered Sen. Scott's allegations of confusion over who was dealing with the drug problem.

He explained the NDC was the "coordinating body'', for which he had responsibility.

The Health Ministry, however, was responsible for treatment issues.

"This is because of the high medical component as relates to treatment,'' said Mr. Dill.

Drug testing is part of a four-point plan from the NDC to address substance abuse in Bermuda's schools.

The NDC has recommended that: The Education Act be amended to allow school authorities to test children suspected of abusing drugs or alcohol; The Education Ministry train an existing clinical psychologist or hire a new one to assess the severity of substance dependency in school children; American residential treatment homes be used to treat Bermudian students with severe substance problems, at least in the short term; and the Ministry of Health and Social Services hire an adolescent drug counsellor for Addiction Services. Mr. Brock said drug testing would enable people to get an assessment of the severity of a child's problem, and how best to treat it.

"There would have to be a good reason for testing.'' Mr. Brock went on to answer calls for a survey on drugs among students, and for more use to be made of the Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education group (PRIDE).

He pointed out school drug surveys had been carried out since 1983, and these demonstrated there was a problem.

Mr. Brock added the NDC was also working closely with PRIDE.

"We are not doing this alone. We are working as a coordinated team.'' Mr. Brock, who disclosed a drug counsellor had been hired last month by Addiction Services, called for a collective community effort in tackling the substance abuse problem.

To this end, he said, he had arranged a meeting with Sen. Scott and had written to PTAs.

Mr. Brock recently revealed agreements had been reached with Phoenix House in New York and Hazelton in Minnesota to accept addicted students from Bermuda.