"If principals believe they have a problem in their school, then they should be able to do random drug testing," said Blair.

Blair added that principals should also be given the authority to set sanctions for those who test positive for drug use, such as expulsion, treatment, or reporting students to police.

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) supports a school drug-testing policy. However, the opposition Liberal Democrat party and civil-rights activists are against any such plan.

"Drug abuse is a major social problem, endemic across society," said Phil Willis, opposition Liberal Democrat education spokesman. "It should not be treated in isolation as a school problem, nor should it be the responsibility of head teachers to test children."

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