Pubdate: Mon, 23 May 2005
Source: Lowell Sun (MA)
Copyright: 2005 MediaNews Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.lowellsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/852
Author: Julie Mehegan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG TESTS TAKE A HIT

School Officials Concerned About State's Plan For Random Checks

BOSTON -- Drug testing may be a useful tool to help
steer teens away from addiction, local school officials say, but it
would be better administered by families than by the public schools.

"I think it's a parent's job to do that," said Lowell School
Committee member Regina Faticanti. "We're feeding kids, we're
transporting kids, we're educating kids. I don't think we should be
taking over a parent's role of making sure their children are not
using drugs." While eager to make inroads in the fight against
substance abuse among teens, some local school officials say they are
unsure whether drug testing in the schools is the most effective approach.

"The idea is worth discussing, but there are so many legal
ramifications, and the practical details -- like when would it be
done, how would it be done, who would pay for it -- all raise
questions," said Chelmsford High School Principal Allen Thomas.

Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey last week announced plans to allow interested
school districts to conduct random drug testing of their students,
provided parents give their permission.

It's an idea being promoted by the Bush administration and its Office
of National Drug Control Policy, which suggests drug testing is a
powerful prevention tool. A 2002 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court
sanctioned drug testing of students who participate in extracurricular
activities, but civil libertarians argue that random drug testing of
all students violates a student's privacy. The Romney administration
believes seeking parental permission before conducting a drug test
addresses that concern.

Several school districts have already expressed interest in adopting a
drug-testing program like the one Healey is proposing, including New
Bedford. Salem Superintendent Herbert Levine drew national attention
when he expressed support for the idea and went public with the story
of his son, who became addicted to OxyContin while in high school.

Healey's plan calls for providing funds to selected school districts
for a comprehensive program that includes both drug testing and
referral to treatment programs. The administration estimates the
entire program would cost about $80,000 per district.

While Lowell High School Headmaster William Samaras said he would
welcome the right to drug-test a student who is suspected of being
drunk or on drugs at school, he questioned the need to conduct random
drug tests of all students. "If I had the right to drug-test someone
who we suspected because of their behavior, that's one thing,"
Samaras said. "It would solidify our case, because a lot of parents
are in denial. But to give me the power to do random testing, I don't
think we're here to do that." Samaras noted that the school has
several policies in place designed to identify students who might be
using drugs, including the use of drug-sniffing dogs. During the most
recent search of the school two weeks ago, the dogs turned up 13
"hits" on student lockers, Samaras said, but no drugs were found.
Samaras said other prevention efforts are working, including a program
that refers students in need to drug treatment.
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MAP posted-by: Derek