Pubdate: Fri, 04 Jul 2003 Source: Montgomery Advertiser (AL) Copyright: 2003sThe Advertiser Co. Contact: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1088 Author: Ken L. Spear Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) SOME SCHOOLS ADOPT, WEIGH DRUG TESTING Two Local Private Schools Will Have New Programs In Place This Fall At least two local private schools -- Macon-East Montgomery Academy and Saint James School -- plan to start mandatory drug testing of students and faculty when classes resume this fall, and several others are exploring the option for the next academic year. Area independent school leaders called on Thursday said they either are studying whether to test, planning to seek public input or possibly implementing such policies as early as 2004. Alabama Christian Academy Headmaster Milton Slauson, for example, said his school's administrators are in the early stages of developing a policy on testing. "The public may see it as a negative, but I see it as a positive step in the right direction in providing youth with the support they need," Slauson said. "It's unfortunate that we've come to that point in our society. I think it needs to be done." Parent Keith Loomis says he is comfortable knowing Macon-East can test his three children, who attend the school. "It makes me feel like the school cares about the total development of our children," Loomis said. Macon-East parents were notified in May that ninth-through 12th-graders will be required to undergo drug testing this fall -- along with board members, administration and faculty. Saint James School also plans to give random drug screens beginning in October to administrators -- and middle and high school students involved in extracurricular activities. By 2004-2005, the random testing will expand to all employees and all students, grades 6-12. Other local schools considering drug tests include Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, where students may be tested for drugs in 2004, President Faustin Weber said. The school plans to sponsor a series of meetings "to measure the community's position" on this issue, Weber said. "We've been studying it for about a year," Weber said. "Obviously the strongest argument is to give kids a tool to say 'No' when tempted. If Catholic High were to move in that direction, that's the emphasis we'd like to take." At Taylor Road Academy, the school does not conduct across-the-board drug testing except in "special situations," Headmaster John Booth said. Students there are tested if drug use is suspected or if officials have reservations before accepting a student. "I have a feeling this is something most schools will probably move into," Booth said. "I may not necessarily like it, but I think it's appropriate to the reality of our times." Most public school officials said they are faced with legal implications and financial constraints for a sweeping drug policy. Montgomery Superintendent Clinton Carter has said the system has other priorities. Bruce Fulmer, superintendent of Elmore County Schools, believes that public schools may begin to study the issue as it eventually could be linked to accountability standards. In Autauga County, a community initiative, Independent Decision Program, gives students the option of being tested for tobacco and drugs. Those who test negative for drugs in random screenings receive discounts and other perks from more than 65 businesses. About 56 percent of Autauga County's public and private school students in grades 7-9 participate in the program, said Martha Ellis, executive director of Peers Are Staying Straight. For instance, eighth-graders in Autauga who said they've tried marijuana fell from 16.4 percent in 2000 to 8.5 percent in 2003. Autaugaville School has the highest percentage of participation, running an average of 90 percent. "We're hiding our heads in the sand if we think there is not a drug problem in Montgomery or any school for that matter," said Taylor Road Academy's Booth. "Anyway we can help a kid stay off drugs, the better off our schools will be, plus society." (Sidebar) THINGS TO CONSIDER The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy offers the following advice to schools considering implementing drug testing programs: Get plenty of public input: The decision should involve the entire community -- including parents, community leaders, health-care agencies, businesses and students. Make sure need is real: A need can be determined from student drug-use surveys, reports by teachers and other school staff about student drug use, reports about drug use from parents and others in the community and from discoveries of drug paraphernalia or drug residue at school. What if student drug use is a problem? Schools will want to consult early in deliberations with an attorney familiar with student drug testing laws. Seek the advice of drug prevention and treatment professionals, and also contact officials at schools that have implemented drug testing programs to learn what works and what doesn't. Pay attention to naysayers: Bring together anyone who has an interest in reducing student drug use -- even those who are against the idea. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom