Pubdate: Wed, 11 May 2005
Source: Enid News & Eagle (OK)
Copyright: Enid News & Eagle 2005
Contact:  http://www.enidnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2012
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

TESTING STUDENTS FOR DRUGS MAY BE NECESSARY, BUT NEEDS MONITORING

Next week, the Enid Board of Education is expected to vote on a policy that
will require students participating in extracurricular activities to submit
to a drug test.

The new proposal also allows the district to randomly test those same
students any time they are suspected of using illegal substances, including
performance-enhancing drugs.

While there are many viewpoints on whether drug testing is necessary, the
consideration of such a policy reflects an unfortuante and inevitable
reality. Today, students are more at risk than ever of becoming involved
with alcohol, drugs or performance-enhancing substances to get that edge in
sports.

Many wonder why the school district doesn't initiate a drug testing policy
for all students. It's quite simple. An earlier case in Tecumseh upheld the
constitutionality of testing students who participate in extra-curricular
activities because those activities are not mandatory. Students have the
privilege of participating in those activities. School attendance is
mandatory, so it is unconstitutional to test all students.

Drug testing is expensive. A grant from the Champlin Foundation would cover
most of the initial cost. How-ever, the grant money will likely run out in a
year. So, the district will either need to set aside funds from its own
operating expenses or find other ways to finance the continuation of the
program.

The proposal as it stands now would protect the privacy of the students
involved. The policy seems to be written in a way that spells out precisely
the steps that will be taken should a positive finding occur. Legally, the
document is in order.

If the board decides to approve a drug-testing program, we would encourage
them to approve it for a two-year probationary period. There also needs to
be more detailed planning for the second year, particularly how it will be
funded.

We would also expect the school district to monitor the program and release
to the public a general accounting of whether the drug testing policy has
achieved its desired goals.

Drug testing students participating in extracurricular activities will not
rid Enid Public Schools of drugs. However, it is a step in moving Enid
Public Schools closer to a drug-free environment. It should not be seen as a
cure-all, and if after two years it hasn't achieved its desired goals, the
board should think very carefully about continuing the program.
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MAP posted-by: Josh