Pubdate: Sun, 24 Feb 2002
Source: Baytown Sun, The (TX)
Copyright: 2002 Baytown Sun
Contact:  http://web.baytownsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1696
Author: David Bloom, Managing Editor of The Sun

DRUG-TESTING STUDENTS

Recognizing a problem is the first step toward solving it. The Barbers
Hill school board believes drugs are a problem in its schools. But
that next step,dealing with the problem is the tricky part.

Based on the results of a student survey, the Barbers Hill school
board plans to implement a drug-testing policy.

According to that survey, more than 50 percent of high schoolers and
30 percent of middle school students said there is a drug problem in
Barbers Hill schools. However, the school district plans to conduct
random drug tests on only middle school and high school students
involved in athletics and cheerleading. The program would be voluntary
for all other students.

The hope, obviously, is that the chance of getting caught would deter
students from using drugs. They'd also have a positive "crutch" on
which to lean if caught in circumstances where drugs were being used.
The possibility of being tested would be an excuse for saying "no" to
an offer to use marijuana or some other drug.

We need to say up front that we don't support drug testing of athletes
and cheerleaders, or any high school students for that matter.

Does this mean we think students should drink and use drugs?
Absolutely not. But should schools be testing them for that use?
Equally, absolutely not.

We recognize that playing on a team for a school is a privilege, not a
right, and that athletes and cheerleaders represent their schools
throughout the county and beyond. And we understand that school
patrons want to be proud of their athletes and cheerleaders.

That said, don't band members, honor society officers, student body
officers and French club members represent the school equally, and
aren't they required and expected to meet the same behavior standards
as athletes and cheerleaders? How about Key Club members, and math and
science club participants?

If Barbers Hill school board members feel the need to get involved in
the urine of the athletes and cheerleaders, why not spread the burden
to the entire student body? Or do we assume athletes and cheerleaders
are more likely to use illegal drugs? If so, let's say so up front,
and treat them accordingly.

The fact that athletes and cheerleaders are forced to take drug tests
is an implicit acknowledgment that the school board and administration
thinks drugs are, in fact, being used. Or else why the recommendation
in the first place?

It must also be noted that drug-testing will not curb the use of the
most commonly abused drug: alcohol. Alcohol abuse is the gateway to
more abusive habits and alcohol takes far more student lives every
year than all other drugs combined.

In the survey used as the basis for the drug-testing program, 62
percent of high schoolers said there was alcohol abuse among students.
Drug-testing will not curb alcohol abuse, and thus Barbers Hill
ignores its biggest problem among students.

Here, basically, is how the drug-testing program would
work:

All athletes, cheerleaders and students who volunteer will be tested
at the beginning of school. Then tests will occur randomly.

Each time a student tests positive, their parents are notified and
they are required to attend a drug and alcohol counseling program. The
student and his or her parents will also be required to attend a
conference with a principal, coach or anyone else involved with the
student's activities. The student will also continue to be tested for
one year.

Upon a second offense, the student will be suspended from all
extracurricular activities for a minimum of 30 days. The student will
be required to attend all practices and meetings, but will not be
allowed to compete or participate in any performances.

Upon a third offense, the student is suspended from extracurricular
activities for one year, but must still attend meetings and practices.

A fourth offense results in the student being barred from all
extracurricular activities and social events for the remainder of high
school attendance.

Also according to the policy, students who refuse drug testing will be
considered drug users.

The school board is expected to discuss the issue and possibly vote on
the issue on Tuesday.

We urge parents and students of Barbers Hill to let the school board
and administration know where you stand on the issue.

We believe that if a student athlete or cheerleader uses drugs or
alcohol, that's an issue involving that student and his or her parents.

Here's an alternative. Make the drug testing available to those
families who feel they need it. That makes the decision about whether
to test more personal and more private, yet it still strengthens the
school system's partnership with families in the battle against drugs.

~~~~~~~~~~
Today's editorial was written by David Bloom, managing
editor of The Baytown Sun, on behalf of the newspaper's editorial board.
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MAP posted-by: S Heath(DPF of Florida)