Pubdate: Tue, 21 Mar 2006
Source: Times, The  (Munster IN)
Copyright: 2006 The Munster Times
Contact:  http://www.nwitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/832
Author: Elizabeth Holmes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

PORTER TOWNSHIP PARENTS IN FAVOR OF DRUG TESTING

Forum Participants Want Middle, High Schoolers Tested

PORTER TOWNSHIP | The two dozen people who attended the public forum 
on drug testing at Porter Township Schools were overwhelmingly in 
favor of the measure for middle and high school students, but had 
questions about the details of doing so.

"We're in our infancy in this whole process," Superintendent Nick 
Brown said at the beginning of the 90-minute meeting. "What do you 
think? Is this something we should pursue?"

The answer was a resounding 'yes' on testing from grades six to 12 
and on testing all students, not just those in athletics and 
extracurricular activities.

In fact, there was no one at the forum that openly opposed drug 
testing completely.

Instead, the small group discussion that began the evening revolved 
around the details -- such as the frequency of testing and the punishments.

Most of the participants thought there should be a testing limit, 
such as three times per year per student. The costly nature of 
testing was also brought up because the more a school tests, the more it costs.

Other small groups were concerned about the consequences of testing 
positive. John Rado, the father of a seventh-grader, opposed an 
automatic expulsion or suspension for a first-time offender.

But he felt differently about multiple infractions.

"It's usually three strikes and you're out," Rado said. "I say for 
this, it should be two."

Other participants discussed the testing of athletes during the 
season, such as how many games would an offender miss and how would 
that kind of punishment translate into other activities.

Brown emphasized that there would be consequences, but that the 
punitive aspect wasn't the focus.

Rick Iwinski, a father of two Porter Township students, echoed his sentiments.

"I think we all agree the ultimate goal of this is to help the child," he said.

Bob Taylor, coordinator of the Porter County Drug Task Force, sat 
largely unnoticed and listened quietly to the discussion taking 
place. At the end, when his presence was made known, he thanked the 
participants.

"I'm impressed with what you've done here tonight," he said. "I 
commend you all."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom