Pubdate: Thu, 01 Sep 2005
Source: Sentinel (NJ)
Copyright: 2005 Greater Media Newspapers
Contact:  http://nbs.gmnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3503
Author: Jennifer Amato, Staff Writer

SCHOOL BOARD ADOPTS DRUG TESTING POLICY

No. Bruns. Students Involved In Activities Now Must Comply

A policy to allow random drug testing of all North Brunswick students 
engaged in athletics, extracurricular activities and authorized to park on 
school premises has been approved.

The program is designed to promote health and safety, deter drug use, 
counter peer pressure, which may encourage indulgence and encourage 
rehabilitative programs, according to the policy.

Although the Board of Education voted unanimously to support the measure at 
its Aug. 25 meeting, student representative Michael Padovano disagreed with 
the decision.

"At first, I thought it was a good idea. When I did my research, nothing 
makes this a good idea. In most cases it doesn't help," he said. 
"Basically, you guys are making it guilty until proven innocent, which 
isn't our amendment right. You are testing the wrong kids. You are pushing 
the kids who are using drugs further away from these activities [that] can 
help them."

The board defended its decision to allow the policy to be put into effect, 
but stated that all students should be subjected to the policy.

"Until the [U.S.] Supreme Court allows us to test every student it's the 
only way we can start," said Claire Padovano, a school board member and 
Michael's mother.

"We can do nothing -- that's one choice -- we can do nothing or we can do 
something. I speak for myself when I say I think we can do something. I 
agree with what [Michael is] saying, everybody should be tested. 
Unfortunately, that is the policy that's passed muster," board member James 
Curran said.

The policy stems from a Supreme Court ruling in 2003 in Joye v. Hunterdon 
Central High School, in Flemington, to uphold a drug testing policy it had 
implemented in 1997, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of New 
Jersey Web site.

However, an important issue is if and how the program can be measured as 
successful.

"How would we understand if what we're doing is successful or not? I think 
it's incumbent upon us as a board to estimate some criteria as to how we 
know we're successful," board member Bruce Kenney said.

Superintendent of Schools Robert Rimmer said he would inquire to Hunterdon 
Central about how they measure the success of the program and if their 
superintendent feels it is a valuable step in drug prevention.

Yet Michael Padovano feels that whether or not the program is successful in 
deterring drug use, the obligation should not lie with the school system.

"It seems like more and more, the job of mom and dad is more on the Board 
of Education and more on teachers," he said. He added that it is the job of 
the parents to test their children if they feel they are using drugs.

In response, board President Gail DiPane said, "There are a minority of 
parents [that take the responsibility]. It is very frustrating as a board 
member. We would love to go out there and test everybody legally. Times are 
changing and our responsibility is to protect the students and the teachers."

According to the policy, all students wishing to participate in parking, 
athletics or extracurricular activities must complete a consent form prior 
to the student being granted the privilege. The identification numbers of 
all participating students will be placed in a pool from which a designated 
administrator will randomly draw at least 10 percent of the names annually. 
The selected students will be immediately notified and tested with a 
courtesy phone call to their parents. The saliva, urine and/or breath 
specimens will contain an assigned identification number so as to keep the 
student's identity confidential.

The first infraction requires the removal of the student from school by 
his/her parents, a mandatory medical examination, four days of a 
prevention/education program, and five counseling sessions with the student 
assistance coordinator with possible intervention and suspension from their 
team, activity and parking privileges until completion of the prevention 
program and a drug and alcohol test is submitted without traces of any 
substances.

The second infraction calls for removal from school, a mandatory medical 
examination, suspension from participation for 60 days, five days of a 
prevention program, 10 days of counseling sessions with the student 
assistance coordinator with possible intervention and a test free of 
alcohol and drug traces prior to participation after the 60-day suspension.

Although the policy did not pass in time for a statement to be printed in 
the 2005-06 student handbooks, handouts will be given out at Linwood Middle 
School and the North Brunswick Township High School and will be included 
with the athletic handbook.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman