yesterday.

Testing was part of a multi-pronged attack on substance abuse recommended by the National Drug Commission.

But the Bermuda Union of Teachers and the National Parent-Teacher Association have urged caution.

The union's general secretary, Sen. Milton Scott, warned: "Civil liberties must be taken into consideration, because don't forget children also have rights.'' And president of the National PTA Mr. Ross Smith said: "I believe there are human rights considerations here.'' The Human Rights Commission, meanwhile, has announced it will be examining the issue.

Commission chairman the Rev. Canon James Francis said the matter would be discussed at a January 11 meeting, and a policy statement could be issued.

"It is a matter of real concern to me that as this debate takes place we need to protect ourselves from the scourge.

"In doing so we need to sit down to build in safeguards so we don't violate people's rights.'' He added: "People also must have some recourse if they disagree with a finding that they have tested positive for drugs. They must have the chance to clear themselves.'' The NDC has put forward a four-point plan for tackling drugs. This includes changing the Education Act to allow school authorities to test children.

The other proposals are for: the Education Ministry to train an existing clinical psychologist or hire a new one to assess schoolchildren's drug problems; American residential homes to treat Bermudian youngsters; and the Health Ministry to take on an adolescent drug counsellor for Addiction Services.

Sen. Scott called for a comprehensive "developmental programme'' on fighting drug abuse among schoolchildren.

It was important to find out the reasons why youngsters got caught up in drugs, and to set up prevention and rehabilitation programmes, he said.

And he asked: "What are we going to do with children we identify as having a drugs problem?'' Sen. Scott stressed, however, the union had not taken a definitive stance on testing.

On the issue of Bermudians going to America for treatment, he said: "Why are we proposing to remove these children from the community?'' Sen. Scott continued by urging Government to take a more co-ordinated approach to the drug problem.

Currently, there was confusion about who was responsible for dealing with it, he said.

Was it the Health Ministry, or the Human Affairs Ministry?, he asked.

Sen. Scott said the BUT would be looking at the drug problem next week. Mr.

Smith said: "Individual PTAs have brought their concerns to the National PTA pertaining to drugs -- and that includes alcohol -- and the National PTA are having discussions with the Department of Education on remedial action geared towards curbing the problem and providing training and help to curtail it or learn how not to use illicit drugs.'' "There is a feeling that if a proper method could be established, and it was legally correct, some sort of random searches need to be considered.'' Mr. Smith said, speaking personally, he had "nothing against'' Bermudian students with severe substance problems being sent to American residential treatment homes.

Fears over drug testing in schools "I would like to think we could have a treatment home in Bermuda, but we don't have any structured facility here. In an ideal environment we would.'' On the recommendation for the Education Ministry to train a clinical psychologist or hire a new one, Mr. Smith said: "The National PTA is concerned when we start having more administrative-type individuals.'' Mr. Smith said the emphasis should be on getting more people with a "hands-on'' approach to students.

He added more use should also be made of the group PRIDE -- Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education.

Mr. Smith went on to call for an in-depth survey of drugs among students.

This would aim to establish the extent of the problem, which drugs were being used, and why.

"I don't think such a survey has ever been carried out.'' Mr. Smith backed the NDC's recommendation for the Health Ministry to hire an adolescent drug counsellor for Addiction Services.

He added the National PTA would be discussing the problem of drugs in schools later this month.