Pubdate: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 Source: North County Times (Escondido, CA) Copyright: 2006 North County Times Contact: http://www.nctimes.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1080 Note: Gives LTE priority to North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County residents Author: Rich Alderson Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n232/a04.html?294972 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) NCT WRONG ON DRUG TESTING Recently the NCT published an editorial criticizing the Vista Unified School District Board of Trustees for approving a drug-testing program for all high students participating in co-curricular activities at Vista and Rancho Buena Vista High Schools. The premise of the editorial opinion was that the students who took part in these activities were already safe and secure from drug use by their mere participation in these activities. How the Times arrived at their opinion is still a mystery. No facts to support their opinion were presented, simply a scathing rebuke of the VUSD Board for engaging in such an underhanded activity. In my role as principal of a large comprehensive high school, I thought some solid facts regarding the Times editorial might be helpful. I feel qualified to speak on this topic given my 34 years in public education and 18 years spent coaching at the high school level. Prior to seeking the federal grant, a pilot program was conducted at Rancho Buena Vista High School for over one year. This pilot program involved over 120 student-athletes participating in the football program (as reported by the NCT reporter Terry Monahan). Parents were notified, and every parent granted permission. Not one parent resisted or protested the concept; they welcomed the idea of testing. In over one year, we experienced two positive tests. The student-athletes were counseled and provided a second opportunity to modify their behavior. No future positive tests occurred, and both athletes remained in the program. One athlete dropped out of the program because of the testing. With these results and solid parental support, the district embarked on securing the federal grant. To bolster the grant application, results from the California Healthy Kid Survey were used to support the need for such a testing program. Over 50 percent of the students surveyed at both high schools reported some level of drug or alcohol use in the past year. Seventy percent of staff surveyed said that the school did not possess the necessary resources to address substance abuse prevention needs. Seventy percent of students surveyed said that obtaining alcohol or marijuana within the community was very easy. The survey also indicates that use increases as students get older. The high number of students who readily admit drug or alcohol use indicates a problem that needs to be addressed. Recognizing the tremendous influence that peers can exert on each other, providing students with some type of support mechanisms is a prudent and reasonable approach to this issue facing our youngsters. Lastly, assuming for a moment that the Times assertion that VUSD is testing mostly innocent kids who would never use drugs is accurate. I would maintain that testing any number of innocent students is worth the price if we save even one youngster from the horrors of substance abuse. That is a small price to pay to save the life of one child. Our school board members took a strong stance against drug use that should be celebrated in our community, not scorned. Rich Alderson is principal of Rancho Buena Vista High School. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom