Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jul 2008
Source: Jackson Citizen Patriot (MI)
Copyright: 2008 Jackson Citizen Patriot
Contact: http://www.mlive.com/mailforms/jacitpat/letters/index.ssf
Website: http://www.mlive.com/jacitpat/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1190
Author: Claire Cummings

STUDENTS MAY BE DRUG TESTED

Jackson public schools officials are looking into testing students for drugs.

Discussions are just beginning and no decisions have been made, officials said.

However, members of a school-board subcommittee have discussed a plan 
where students, with parental consent, would voluntarily sign up for 
random testing, said school board Trustee Michael Brown, who led the committee.

``Our goal would be certainly preventative. It would not be to play 
the role of law enforcement,'' district spokeswoman A'Lynne Robinson 
said. ``It would simply be to make sure our students are healthy and 
they're functioning at their top possible position.''

Some officials, including Athletic Director Russell Davis, have said 
at least student-athletes should be tested, a practice seen in many 
districts already.

And committee members are proposing extending that effort to all 
students and staff to promote a drug-free environment, Brown said.

``The druggies aren't going to sign up for it,'' said Sarah Wright, a 
Jackson High School sophomore. ``They might be stoned, but they're 
not always that stupid.''

The prospect of random drug testing does not come without protest, 
especially from those who say it is a breech of their civil liberties.

``It's an invasion of privacy,'' said Jackson junior Jodice Boutire.

``But at the same time kids come to the school high,'' said Diazure 
Johnson, replying to Boutire.

Brown said the board understands students' privacy concerns, which is 
why they are developing the program slowly. The group is soliciting 
input from health professionals, legal experts, officials from other 
school districts and community members.

``They just want to make sure people's rights are protected, and I 
do, too,'' Brown said.

The American Civil Liberties Union opposes random student drug 
testing, contending it does not deter students from using drugs, said 
Rana Elmir, communications director for the ACLU of Michigan.

``Drug testing is expensive and the bottom line is it really takes 
away scarce dollars,'' Elmir said. ``We feel the best way to prevent 
drug use among these young people is through open and honest 
communication and not these trust-eroding means.''

Brown said the committee has not yet considered how to pay for the 
testing. The school district could apply for a federal grant, pay for 
it through the general fund, or ask those tested to bear the cost.

In March 2006, St. Joseph Health System in Tawas City created a 
voluntary student drug-testing program for two school districts in 
northern Michigan. It was made possible by a grant from the White 
House Office of National Drug Policy and the U.S. Department of Education.

``There was some question as to if kids are using drugs why would 
they sign up,'' said Annie Griffis, St. Joseph's program manager. 
``We hoped that it would at least start some conversation between the 
parents and the kids.''

Griffis said after two years, enrollment in the program has risen 
from 6 percent to 32 percent of students.

``For a voluntary program, that's very good,'' Griffis said.

Brown said he will give a committee report to the board at its 
regular meeting next week. The committee will reconvene in August 
when it is expected to tackle the drug testing proposal, he said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart