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February 14, 2012
Government goes ahead with drug tests for kids
Published: 15 Mar 10 13:57 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/25536/20100315/
The Swedish government has ignored the advice of Sweden's Council on Legislation (Lagrådet) and proposed the introduction of drug tests on children below the age of 15.
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In a previous ruling, the council weighed the invasion of personal integrity occasioned by the supervised collection of a urine sample against the benefits of a child getting help to counter their drug use, and concluded that the invasion of personal integrity was disproportionate.
Ask argued however for the importance of timely intervention regarding drug use and underlined that several of the bodies in the referral process supported the government's stance.
The government's legislative proposal also provides for the tests to be conducted without the consent of the children's parents.
"It is not always that straightforward to find the parents or to gain their permission and I think that it is important to be able to check if there is misuse."
As an example, Ask said the forced test measure could be used if a child were to be found in a dope den.
The Council on Legislation also warned that a forced urine test could be used by police as a form of punishment. This criticism is rejected by Ask who argues that the police have better things to do than to harass youngsters.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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These kind of tests should be required for every teenager and adult every year. And all those idiots from human rights and other organisations should shut up. It is pointless to spend millions of tax payers money to investigate drug crimes if people can use drugs without any problems. The one woul think twise before using drugs if he will know, that he will be tested soon..
It does stop at 15 right now, that's what this proposed legal change is about. Persons above the age of 15 can be forced to submit to drug tests under current legislation, persons below, on the other hand, can not be forced to submit to drug tests unless this proposed change goes through.
Mass screening will miss many users. Cocaine and its metabolites are present in the urine for less than 24 hours, and some narcotics are difficult to detect as well. Marijuana is easier to detect. Are they looking for any one drug in particular?
OR more to the point
Early abuse of your freedoms is crucial for intervention of your innocence.
Can any police officer at anytime require a drug screen as often as they want? Do they first need a courts approval? Is probable cause required or can it be random large screenings? Random police screening of childrens urine sounds worse than the incredibly small drug problem Sweden currently has. Should be testing divorced 40 year old women for red box wine consumption on the weekend if you want a real problem. Whats the odds that the police hassle the poor emigrant youths on a weekend versus the kids in Djursholm?
It is a horrible idea and does make me uncomfortable, but I do believe it is necessary.
Talk to any of your friends kids and they will tell you that drugs such as cannabis and speed are common amongst some of the teens.
The problem is the problem is real, so has to be faced up to. Drug testing is part of facing up to that problem and not ignoring it until it explodes.
There are types that are altered known as skunk or hydro depending on where you are from which are potent and people should in my opinion stay away from, natural weed grown without alteration has never be known to kill anyone, in some case it helps people with simple things like helping to dry out a chest wet cough, cigarettes and alcohol kill more people yearly.
I read a quote once "God put it on the earth for us to use and we found a use for it". If those who control alcohol and cigarettes could control marijuana in the same way, I believe it would be legal, however they cannot see how they can make money as they do with the other two poisons, so its is said to be illegal.
In other words let the next generation understand that freedom is just a suggestion and that Big Brother is watching no matter who you are.
Swedish police ALREADY use their ability to drug test anyone as a punishment.
This story is so sickening.
So what legal safeguards are there for the under 15s now that neither parents or social services need to be consulted?
There are already powers for social services to intervene in suspected drug use case under the law LVU - so why are these draconian police powers needed?
While you're at it - if a child is found with any level of an illegal substance in his body, he should get a voucher to system bolaget as an incentive to stop drug use and get on the national (tax paying) bandwagon!
I'm more frightened of dangerous dogs such a Dobermans than I am of drug addicts. they usually keep themselves to themselves
This is an infringement on youths rights! Why don't they instill corporal punishment! this is just disgusting and I hope it gets repealed! Sweden has NO drug problem, but with alcohol maybe a bit and that is legal.
gross!
Kids will be ratting on their "friends" as a consequence of this I'm sure.
Now while we are at it, do you realize how safe would we be if, at the airport, we require everyone, upon checking in, to remove all their clothing, send all items through inspection, and only give people the right to put their clothes back on once they get to their designated terminal? No suicide bombers could get through nor could anyone hide weapons. I think this makes even more sense than drug tests for kids.
On many accounts it is the most beneficial single plant on earth (cannabis as a medicine / hemp as a material).
There is a reason it is kept out of your hands.
Now go smoke your cigarettes, drink your booze and pop your pills.