Pubdate: Mon, 01 Aug 2005
Source: Athens News, The (OH)
Copyright: 2005, Athens News
Contact:  http://www.athensnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1603
Author:  Sue Meeks
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

DRUG TESTING LATEST EXAMPLE OF DISTRICT'S NON-SUPPORT OF STUDENTS

My daughter graduated from Alexander High School last year. She was an 
excellent student and continues to be in college.

I found myself thinking, what I would do if she were still at Alex, playing 
volleyball, driving her car and being subjected to drug testing?I went from 
zero to furious in about two seconds.

What I know from previous experiences with Alexander High School is that it 
is NOT a supportive atmosphere for students.

Stupid adolescent mistakes, not unlike the ones we all made at that age, 
are blown out of proportion. Instead of reacting in a collaborative process 
with parents to teach students about making better choices, the reactions 
have often been punitive.

Bob Bray and some of the teachers at Alexander have earned my respect and 
admiration for their rapport with students and parents. Unfortunately, many 
of us are aware that decisions made by some teachers, staff and school 
board members of Alexander school district have not been and will not be in 
our children's best interest.

Drug testing will be no different. False positives will be prosecuted first 
and questioned later.

The message to students from the Alexander School Board seems to be: We 
know you're doing something wrong, we will catch you and you will pay.

Any parent who has tried this line of reasoning with an adolescent knows 
how destructive it is to a supposedly trusting and nurturing relationship.

There are parents and students who do not trust the Alexander school 
system, and for good reason.

The decision to implement this policy without the input of the community 
further justifies this mistrust.

If this decision had been made to protect rather than penalize students, 
the school board would have sought input from parents, students, medical 
and drug and alcohol professionals, not just attorneys.

So, I asked myself, what I would do if my daughter attended Alexander this 
year?

I decided I would firmly plant my feet and say absolutely NO!

I would support her in saying absolutely NO! I would use every resource 
available to insure and protect her rights as an individual and as a student.

If we have learned anything from history, we must know that our individual 
rights and freedoms should never be taken for granted.

Many have paid a high price to give us those rights and neither the 
students, nor their parents, should allow them to be taken away by a school 
board with a questionable agenda.

Sue Meeks, RN, Certified

Alexander Class of 1972

Athens
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MAP posted-by: Beth