Pubdate: Thu, 03 Mar 2005
Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA)
Copyright: 2005 The Media News Group
Contact:  http://www.chicoer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861
Author: Roger H. Aylworth, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DUSD BOARD WILL CONSIDER OTHER DRUG POLICY OPTIONS

DURHAM - When it comes right down to it, what is the goal of random drug 
testing in a public school?

For weeks, administrators, trustees, parents and residents in the Durham 
Unified School District have discussed, pondered and reviewed the 
district's current random drug testing policy.

It originally began as an effort to bring the general DUSD policy on drug 
and alcohol use and the policy that covers athletes into conformity. 
However, that effort expanded to consider random drug and alcohol testing 
for students in all extracurricular activities as well as sports.

The board seemed on the verge of adopting such a policy during its regular 
meeting Tuesday night, when the mother of a student at Durham High School 
asked whether drug testing should focus on punishment or on education.

Barbara Schill told the board discouraging students from using drugs or 
alcohol is a "noble goal," but if the policy stresses punishment and takes 
kids out of positive activities, it may be missing the true target.

"We want children to be active. We want them to be participating in 
activities," said Schill.

Under the policy the board was considering, a positive drug test during the 
fall sports season would end that season for the offender, preclude the 
individual from participation during the winter season, but could allow the 
student back for the spring season if he or she completed a minimum 
six-hour drug program and provided the district with a clean drug test.

"In dealing with juvenile delinquents, what we want to do is rehabilitate 
them," said Schill.

She encouraged the district to consider a policy that would remove a person 
from playing on a team for, say, 30 days on a first positive drug test. She 
said the youngster could still be on the team and practice with the team, 
but could not take part in games before the end of the suspension.

She said there should be a mandatory drug and alcohol counseling program 
for anybody found dirty. The offender could be required to have weekly drug 
tests, take part in community service and do other things as punishment, 
but the key should be education, she said.

"If we can teach them to learn from their mistakes, I think you are making 
a far greater impact on these children than throwing up your hands on 
them," Schill continued.

Regardless of the specific approach, there seemed to be general agreement 
that drugs and alcohol were a genuine concern in the Durham schools.

"Having been a teacher in this district for 20 years, and having attended 
eight funerals," said Durham High band director Ed Banes, "I'm not real 
excited about going to any more. These are kids I have known since fifth 
grade and it tears my heart out.

"For me, since I worked with these kids since they were 10 years old, this 
is really emotional. This is not something I take lightly," said Banes.

He estimated that perhaps 30 percent of the students in his high school 
band are involved in drugs or alcohol.

Banes also said while the drug of choice changes yearly, whatever is 
currently popular is "readily available right here in our little community."

Susan Dowdy, a mother of two children attending Durham schools, and also 
part of a recently organized drug and alcohol task force in the community, 
said a survey done last year suggests 60 percent of the Durham High seniors 
had used drugs or alcohol.

After hearing these comments, the DUSD trustees decided to continue 
discussion of a drug and alcohol testing policy and the sanctions related 
to positive tests.

"It looks to me like we need to give it a lot more thought," said trustee 
Mark Kimmelshue.
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MAP posted-by: Beth