Rostov Region to test all ninth grade pupils for drug use

In the new school year, schools of the Rostov Region start testing for drugs of pupils of ninth grade. This was announced by Tatiana Bykovskaya, Health Minister of the Region. To perform the testing, the Region has purchased high-tech mobile laboratories.

"The testing for drugs, which we conducted among senior pupils, revealed serious problems of our society. We not only found evidence of using of illicit drugs, but also drew attention to the fact that some pupils refused to take part in the testing," said Tatiana Bykovskaya, Minister of Health of the Rostov Region on March 11.

In total, about 26,000 persons were tested. Drugs were found in biological fluids (saliva was taken for analysis) of 139 of the tested persons. However, during the second testing, which is mandatory in such cases, only 45 cases were confirmed, the "Rostov.ru" reports.

In the new school year, the testing will be conducted on urine, not saliva, like it was last year. "Saliva requires harder work, and this fact delay the process. To obtain informative saliva, it should be free of foaming. Prior to the testing, a person should not drink water... In general, there is a number of different 'obstacles'," the RIA "Novosti" quotes the narcologist as emphasizing.

According to Malyshko, in 2011, in the course of the testing for drugs of teenagers, no complaints or comments on the results of testing were filed, and two teenagers were voluntary registered for drug treatment, the "Interfax" reports.