Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jun 2002
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2002 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Meredith May, SF Chronicle Staff Writer

SUPREME COURT BROADENS DRUG TESTING IN SCHOOLS

Bay Area Districts Demur

The Reaction: Local School Administrators Reluctant To Take On Duties As 
Enforcers

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has authorized random drug tests at school, 
don't expect Principal Vince Rhea to show up at Crespi Middle School in El 
Sobrante this fall with a box of paper cups under his arm.

"I'm going to pass on this one," he said. "We're administrators, not police. "

Rhea's sentiments were echoed by school officials throughout the Bay Area 
as word spread Thursday of the ruling that expands random testing to 
include students in extracurricular groups as well as athletes.

Educators estimate that more than half of the nation's 14 million high 
schoolers now qualify for spot checks -- those who put in extra time 
blowing the tuba, DJ'ing for school radio, raising pigs for Future Farmers 
of America, debating foreign policy for the forensics team or snapping 
photos for the yearbook. Even cheerleaders are on the list.

It's up to principals and superintendents to decide whether they want to 
start drug testing.

"The court is going after the wrong folks," said Oakland schools 
Superintendent Dennis Chaconas, who pointed to studies linking lower drug 
use among students who keep themselves busy with extra work.

"This district is not going to take a guilty until proven innocent stance --

no way," he said.

If students learn that only the extracurricular students get the tests, 
they may not join in the first place, he said.

LAWSUITS FROM PARENTS FEARED

Rhea worried that no matter how randomly the school tried to conduct the 
tests, a parent could claim the school was targeting their child, which 
could lead to lawsuits.

"We already do a good job of talking to the parents privately, and 
referring kids to county services or pediatricians at Kaiser," he said. 
"It's not like we don't get involved when a student has a drug problem."

Students, however, were more resigned to the possibility of surprise urine 
checks.

"I have no problem with it because I don't do drugs," said David Wasserman, 
a champion debater from Emery High in Emeryville. "But really, I'd like to 
know what kind of performance-enhancing drug I could take to debate better.

"If you have something to hide, then you should be afraid of it," he said. 
"But I don't believe it violates my privacy because as a student at a 
school, they do have a certain jurisdiction over you."

Wasserman questioned the logic of testing superachievers like himself for 
drugs.

"I don't think the evil crack heads are lurking around the podium, debating 
foreign policy," he said.

Basketball player Demetrius Arnold of Omega High in Richmond would accept 
drug testing of students, but only if there were a really good reason and 
if all students were tested.

"I'd say I see someone at school who is on drugs about three times a week, 
and it is a problem," Arnold said. "This might reduce the number of kids 
who show up to school on drugs."

But the bigger drug problem is among the students who never make it to 
campus or who leave school to nurse their habit, he said.

"I don't think the students who stay at school are the ones with the drug 
problems," he said.

SOME SCHOOLS ALREADY DO TESTS

A few Bay Area students already undergo routine drug tests, at Phoenix 
Academy charter school in San Rafael -- formerly known as Sobriety High.

Students who are trying to get sober sign a contract with the school and 
their parents, agreeing to the random drug tests, 12-step classes and therapy.

"In this kind of school, the drug test is one more thing that helps a young 
person think twice before taking drugs," said Marin County schools 
Superintendent Mary Jane Burke.

"But in a regular school setting, it won't work in isolation," she said. 
"Youth drug abuse is a community problem, and without intervention and 
prevention programs, random drug testing falls far short of what young 
people need."

Cindy Martinez, who will be a senior at Richmond High in the fall, said she 
supports drug testing to make schools safer but would feel degraded if she 
had to give a sample to a school administrator.

"Especially if you aren't doing anything wrong," she said.

Results of any student drug tests would be kept in a confidential file and 
not turned over to authorities, according to the ruling.

 From inside the radio studio at KECG at El Cerrito High, programming 
teacher Corey Mason said the ruling sounded like a "glaring incursion into 
civil liberties."

El Cerrito High student Jasmine Robinson, 17, said the court is pushing the 
schools into the role of parent.

"Why is this now their business?" she said. "Their job is to teach, not 
poke into our private life. They are getting too involved with us -- in the 
wrong way." 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart