Pubdate: Sun, 10 Aug 2008
Source: Bradenton Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2008 Bradenton Herald
Contact: http://www.bradenton.com/contact_us/feedback/
Website: http://www.bradenton.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58
Author: Martin J. Gutfreund

SCHOOLS HAD DRUG PROGRAM

The comments by various elected school board members on receipt of a 
$100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to initiate a 
"trial" drug-testing program for athletes are troubling.

Mr. Harry Kinnan said the board would authorize the hiring of a 
full-time person for this program, and then another elected board 
member voiced concerns about issues of "privacy" conducting the 
actual test collection protocols. The collective tone of comments 
from board members was one of "caution . . . go slow," as if the 
Board of Education was breaking new and unchartered ground in 
drug-free student programs.

Over 10 years ago, the principal of Manatee High School and the head 
football coach received a recognition award during Red Ribbon Week 
for creating a drug-free football program. Both the principal and the 
coach applied the text of the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Business 
Against Drugs program and together they implemented a first-class 
drug-free plan for students. Did the School Board lose their copy of 
that excellent program?

Next, having personally conducted dozens of "how to implement 
drug-free workplace" seminars for large and small businesses, I have 
never heard of a corporation or organization hiring a full-time 
person to implement drug testing and drug-free workplace policies. 
Managing a sound drug-free program is a basic responsibility of a 
competent human resource department. This is not a full-time job, 
even in the largest of corporations. With all the free "how to" 
information available, it's just not that difficult. So, how can our 
board of education and others be so unaware and or ill uninformed?

For the past 19 years, the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce has 
provided the intellectual resources and skilled staff members to help 
interested parties implement sound drug-free policies and practices. 
Where has the board of education been for the last two decades?

Martin J. Gutfreund
Bradenton 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart