Pubdate: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 Source: Wellington Daily News (KS) Copyright: 2007 Wellington Daily News Contact: http://www.wgtndailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3541 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) DRUG TEST POLICY After months of debate and discussion, USD No. 353 Wellington made it's first school drug testing policy a reality. On Thursday, Aug. 9, members of the school board unanimously passed the current policy with a 6-0 vote. Debate on who would be tested, how, how often, and what would be tested for was up in the air, but after two poorly attended public meetings were held, the school board came to their decision. School board President David Peck said there was little opposion to the testing policy, seeing as it has already been established at other schools around Kanas including El Dorado. He said students and parents openly welcomed the policy as an extra way to keep everyone safe. Concerns on how the students would be picked randomly, violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), possible litigation for false positive results, and the effect it would have on the children were all brought up to the board. "Drug testing doesn't result in a drug-free school," said retired Highway Patrol Officer Ed Amrein. The drug testing policy tests all students who are in extra-curricular activities at the Wellington High chool and also those who get parking permits. Students are chosen at random and tested for 12 major drugs including anabolic steroids, marijuana, and methamphetamines. A student could also be tested if it is belived they came to school under the influence. The original plan didn't include parking, Peck said, but because there was no way to discipline those students who weren't in extracurricular activities, parking was brought up as an option. Peck said there was "overwhelming support" for parking and the suggestion came outside the committee and from the public. Dr. Steve Hawks, of the drug testing board, said the policy wasn't put in place to be punitive, but is as leniant as possible and includes as much help for the student as possible. "There's a drug problem in Wellington...and it seemed like a good plan," said Hawks of the policy. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake