Pubdate: Mon, 20 Oct 2003 Source: Winkler Times (CN MB) Copyright: 2003 Winkler Times Contact: http://www.winklertimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2167 Author: Ellie Reimer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) GV TRUSTEES JUST SAY "NO" After Ombudsman Gives Thumbs Down To Proposed Plan Winkler Times -- Following a report from the provincial ombudsman's office, Garden Valley trustees have put the brakes on a random drug testing plan for student athletes. The eyes of school boards and students from across the country were on Garden Valley School Division Tuesday when the long-awaited ombudsman's report on random drug testing for student athletes finally hit the table. And, based on the findings of the provincial ombudsman's office, trustees voted unanimously not to approve the policy. "The ombudsman's report concluded the policy does not demonstrate a compelling purpose for random drug testing that justifies the degree or scope of intrusion on student privacy," said education chair Sheila Kehler in her announcement to the trustees, local media as well as radio and television reporters from Winnipeg. Review for existing policy "Since the school has other measures available to promote the health and safety of student athletics, the ombudsman says the collection of random drug test results is not necessary and therefore not authorized under the Act," said Wilkins. However, superintendent and board alike are not planning to let the issue of drug abuse among the division's students die. Will strengthen existing policy "The board has directed my office and the administration of Garden Valley Collegiate to review the existing drug policy at the collegiate," said Wilkins. "We have a drug policy at the collegiate, and we want to strengthen what is already in place." In addition, plans are in the making for an enhanced drug awareness and education program designed to empower students to make good choices with regard to the use of drugs and alcohol. Superintendent Domino Wilkins outlined what led up to the receipt of the ombudsman's report. "It was about a year ago that I was invited to a meeting with collegiate administration," he said. "They presented me with the draft policy and asked me to present it to the board." At the behest of the board, the education committee presented the draft policy to a lawyer for scrutiny, and also asked for feedback from the collegiate's parent advisory council. "It was around this time that it became public knowledge and drew attention from the media," said Wilkins, "and that's when I was contacted by the ombudsman's office and informed they would be initiating a review of the draft policy under the Manitoba Personal Health Information Act." Complying with the ombudsman's office, the board forwarded a copy of the draft policy, and Wilkins said he was contacted several times for more information. Once the review was initiated by the ombudsman's office, the board tabled further consideration of the draft policy. A report from the ombudsman's office was received by the division on September 16, a week after the board's monthly meeting. Wider implications Wilkins says the proposed policy had implications for more than just Garden Valley schools. "I had inquiries from colleagues from all over the province last fall that, if this came to fruition, they wanted to see a copy of our policy," he said. "And the national media was on top of this, as well. This policy had important implications for students right across the country." Several board members expressed their disappointment in the decision reached by the ombudsman's office. "The ombudsman's office seemed to ignore several pieces we thought were very important," said trustee Kelvin Dyck, "especially the results we had from schools in the United States that have implemented similar policies." Trustee Sheila Kehler echoed those sentiment. "Right at the beginning, we already had reports that some students said they were going to back off on drugs if this policy would be put in place," she said. "But that does not seem to have been taken into consideration in this report." However, "we are committed to providing our students with a drug-free environment," said Wilkins. "We will continue to work towards that goal." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin