Pubdate: Sun, 06 Feb 2000
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)
Copyright: 2000 St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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FATHER APPEALS SON'S SUSPENSION FOR REFUSING MANDATORY DRUG TEST

LOCKNEY, Texas - A father is challenging the suspension of his 12-year-old 
son for refusing to take a drug test required of every student in the 
school district.

The Lockney district has decided to punish sixth-grader Brady Tannahill as 
if he had tested positive for illegal drugs. He was the only student to 
refuse the test.

Brady faces a 21-day suspension from extracurricular activities, at least 
three days' suspension and substance abuse counseling.

He also could be required to take a drug test every month for a year. Each 
time he refuses, it will be considered a repeat offense, and the punishment 
escalates.

The school board approved the drug policy last year, which requires a 
signed parental consent form allowing the drug tests. The mandatory testing 
of the district's teachers and 399 students in grades 6 through 12 was 
completed Thursday.

Larry Tannahill met with his son's junior high principal on Friday to start 
his appeal.

Graham Boyd, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union's national 
drug policy project, said he was unaware of any other school district in 
the country that requires across-the-board testing.

The district's superintendent, Raymond Lusk, said most residents in this 
town of 2,240 people support the policy.

"You either have a drug policy or you don't," Lusk said. "Drugs are not 
just in the cities. They're in small-town America."

The idea for a tough new anti-drug policy began in 1997 after 13 people in 
Lockney were indicted on charges of distributing and using cocaine and 
marijuana. Residents indicated at community meetings that they supported 
drug testing of all students, not just those involved in extracurricular 
activities.

Tannahill, however, said the policy tramples his parental rights and could 
deny his son access to a public education.

On a fourth offense, the policy calls for a student to be suspended from 
all school activities for the remainder of his or her career, removed to an 
alternative school for at least 30 days, given 12 sessions of substance 
abuse counseling and disqualified from all honors.

"My son is an A and B student," Tannahill said. "He's never been in 
trouble, and right now they are saying he's guilty."
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