Pubdate: Mon, 03 Apr 2006 Source: Florida Today (Melbourne, FL) Copyright: 2006 Florida Today Contact: http://www.flatoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/532 Author: James Dean, Florida Today Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Note: Does not accept out of town LTEs on drug policy MCC TO RANDOMLY TEST KIDS FOR DRUGS School Battles Perception Of Rampant Abuse MELBOURNE - Any day now, Andrew McNeight could be among the first Melbourne Central Catholic High students asked to provide a urine sample, hair or an oral swab to prove he's not using drugs. "I wouldn't mind at all," the senior said of the new testing program. MCC is believed to be the first school in Brevard County to implement random testing for all its students. Tests also could be based on a reasonable suspicion of drug use. Administrators say they want to provide a safe school environment, help students make good choices and shed a perception -- fair or not - -- that drugs were too prevalent among its 540 students. "We're not out to catch the kids, so to speak," Principal Sue Rauch said. "We just want to give them that avenue of saying no." Private schools have more flexibility than public schools, which may only test students participating in sports and other voluntary activities. Brevard Public Schools does not test students, but at least 11 Florida districts -- Indian River County among them -- have some type of testing system in place. At least one, Polk County, tests some athletes for steroids. Last week, a state bill that would require random steroid tests for athletes passed its first committee. If adopted, tests would start next year. President Bush also is pushing to expand testing programs nationally, at a cost of $15 million. About 600 out of 15,000 districts use drug tests, according to the White House Office of National Drug Policy Control. On the decline Since peaking in 1997, illicit drug use has dropped by about a quarter for 10th-graders and 10 percent for 12th-graders, according to national studies, from the University of Michigan's "Monitoring the Future" study released in December. Still, half of all students reported trying an illicit drug by the time they left high school. MCC families got word of the program in December in a letter from the school that said a serious look at drugs on campus led to the conclusion that "decisive" action was needed. The student code of conduct already allowed for testing, and Dean of Students Tod Creneti said testing would put teeth in the policy. He said only a few parents have expressed any concerns. "We thought it was a very positive move, and I believe most parents would," said Rick McNeight, Andrew's father, who is on the school's board. Mixed reactions Students said their reaction has been mixed, with some feeling the school is reaching too far into their private lives. "You sign a paper saying you have to be Christian inside and outside of school," said senior Michelle Ganio. "But we didn't think to the extent of taking hair samples and stuff." But most have accepted the program and feel, as Ganio added, that there's nothing to worry about if you don't do anything wrong. If faced with the choice of trying drugs, said sophomore Georges Milord, "it gives you another excuse to get out of it." The tests are expected to begin soon, now that several teachers and administrators have been trained to properly administer them. Tests will be conducted monthly, probably affecting up to 100 students each year. The tests can be set to screen for the "big five" -- pot, cocaine, methamphetamines, PCP and opiates -- or prescription drugs and steroids. A first positive test earns counseling and a 10-day suspension, which could be reduced to community service if students admit to violations before the test. Second offenses would result in expulsion. Under Brevard Public Schools' zero-tolerance policy, students caught with illegal substances may be expelled or placed in alternative learning centers. They may return to school in nine weeks by successfully completing three counseling sessions and drug tests. MCC also is considering tests for alcohol, which students say is much more widely used than other drugs, at events like the prom. According to the 2004 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, almost half of Brevard high school students reported drinking in the past 30 days, slightly above the state average but a decline from earlier surveys. Research on the effectiveness of drug testing is mixed, and many districts say it's too expensive to administer widely. A 2003 study by the University of Michigan found that in more than 700 schools, rates of drug use were identical whether they tested or not. Ganio said she has seen some habits change since the policy was announced. "It might make some students think twice," she said, "but it's not going to change the whole social scene." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek