Pubdate: Sat, 30 Apr 2005
Source: Winston-Salem Journal (NC)
Copyright: 2005 Piedmont Publishing Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.journalnow.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/504
Note: The Journal does not publish letters from writers outside its daily
home delivery circulation area.
Author: Bert Wood 

DRUG TESTING JUST A PART OF THE SOLUTION

Briefly stated: Drug testing is not the solution to the problem of alcohol
and other drug abuse for the students in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County
Schools or in our community; however, it is a critical part of the solution
and response to the problem. No one should debate the fact that substance
abuse is a significant problem in our community. It is not a school problem,
but a community problem, since most students use drugs between the time
school gets out and 7 p.m.

In 1997 this school system was one of the first five systems in our nation
that began a testing program. Partnership for a Drug-Free NC (formerly STEP
ONE) worked closely with the school board and school administration in the
development of this therapeutic and effective program. It expanded the
testing from 10 percent to 33 percent of the eligible students over the past
four years to increase the awareness and benefits of the testing.

The development of this policy and program was met with questions from
parents, students and educators. This writer, school-board members and
administration officials met with parent groups and provided information to
the Journal, as well as to local radio and television stations. Partnership
has been the provider of the testing, assessment and treatment services for
the past eight years. Readers should note several specific program
characteristics:

All high school students who wish to participate in extra-class activities
are required to participate in the drug-testing program. While some people
may want the school system to require all students to participate in random
drug testing, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a school board may drug
test only students involved in extra-class activities.

All other high-school students may participate in the drug-testing program
on a voluntary basis.

Parents sign the permission form with the students, are informed of the test
results and are included in any assessment. Students are randomly and
blindly selected for participation via a computer program.

Partnership would include alcohol in the array of substances tested, since
it is the most accessible and acceptable of all drugs for young people.

Care managers with Partnership visit schools on a random but routine basis
as samples are obtained from the selected students that the school officials
gather.

School officials do not know the results of the tests if students (and their
parents) agree to an assessment and any course of treatment that may be
recommended. These students are not suspended from participation in
extra-class activities.

And finally, school officials and Partnership recognized that the average
first use of alcohol is at 12 years of age and marijuana is at 13 years in
our community and nation. It was necessary to further expand this service
and offer effective prevention messages for young people in our middle
schools.

Young people will face pre-employment drug tests as they venture into the
work force or requirements from the NCAA and universities when they
participate in sports on the college level. The It's My Call and It's Our
Call programs set the tone for healthy choices and positive peer pressure
and are a precursor for the next stage of their lives. These programs help
nurture a safe and healthy environment in our schools and provide support
for our young people to resist negative peer pressure and make healthy
choices when they're with friends, after school or on the weekend.

As I started this column, I noted that drug testing is not the solution to
this problem. It must be included in an array of supports including law
enforcement, health education and discussions with ministers, parents and
other significant others to ensure our schools are safe and our students
healthy.

The It's My Call and It's Our Call programs provide an objective, random and
therapeutic criteria to help young people make healthy choices. They also
provide monitoring and support to facilitate the discussion with family
members, school officials and friends.

- - Ward is the president/CEO of Partnership for a Drug-Free NC, Inc.
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MAP posted-by: Josh