Eskilstuna’s proposal: Drug test students in schools

Eskilstuna is one of the hardest hit in Sweden when it comes to shootings and gang-related conflicts. Therefore, the municipality wants to act.

The aim of the investigation is to reduce the high level of drug use in Eskilstuna. The drug tests are supposed to be both random and voluntary.

– It is a preventive method, as part of an anti-drug policy in schools. It is a proposal in that direction. We know that the very bloody conflict in Eskilstuna between the networks with very young people, shootings, is about revenge actions. You can shoot each other for crap these days. But behind that, drugs are the absolute central source of funding. So it is clear that it is connected, says Helleday.

The proposal is criticized

Although the tests are voluntary, the proposal has been criticized from several quarters. Among other things, to violate the privacy of young people. One who is critical is Camilla Cederlöf, group leader for the Liberals in Eskilstuna. She questions whether the tests become voluntary in practice, due to the distribution of power between young people and adults.

– Volunteerism is important to highlight here. If you say no, do you become suspicious? You are also in a position of dependence on teachers or staff at the school. Will you have the opportunity to say no? Or will they contact the parents?

Helleday believes that she has the support of the people of Eskilstuna on the issue.

– My most common reaction is that people don’t understand why it should be voluntary. There is another experience in society where more and more Swedes are prepared to make new assessments regarding integrity versus law enforcement. You can sympathize with that.

Lack of research

There is also no research to support that the method could curb the problem in any way.

– A problem with drug testing in schools is that they are not sufficiently tested and researched, so you hit blindly. It is hoped that they will have positive effects. But there is no research to support that. The negative effects have not been investigated, says Bengt Svensson, professor emeritus in social work.

He continues:

– After all, this is a repressive measure that breathes a lot of placard politics.

Helleday agrees that it is a problem, but does not share the view that it would be a repressive measure.

– I agree that there is no clear evidence in this area. It does so very rarely in the area of ​​safety and the serious situation that many municipalities are in. I think it is perfectly reasonable, given the development we have in Eskilstuna.

Rather, she believes that even more groups can be accessed.

– What has been seen when it is not indicative but when it is part of a system, there have been some students in addiction who actually choose to “reveal themselves” because it is seen as a lower threshold.

Want to work preventively

Camilla Cederlöf, however, agrees that something must be done.

– We all want a drug-free school. That is what we strive for all the time. To move the work forward and work preventively.

On the other hand, Cederlöf suggests that one instead invests even more in adult presence and student health in school.

– Those who take the drugs, will they take these tests? Can we use the money and work more preventively. Can we work lower down the ages to reduce recruitment? We have to get the money into the school. Hire more pedagogues, hire more special pedagogues, strengthen student health. Help students pass school and get on. It is too late to start preventive work with a 15-year-old.