Pubdate: Mon, 23 May 2005 Source: Lowell Sun (MA) Copyright: 2005 MediaNews Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.lowellsun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/852 Author: Julie Mehegan Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) DRUG TESTS TAKE A HIT School Officials Concerned About State's Plan For Random Checks BOSTON -- Drug testing may be a useful tool to help steer teens away from addiction, local school officials say, but it would be better administered by families than by the public schools. "I think it's a parent's job to do that," said Lowell School Committee member Regina Faticanti. "We're feeding kids, we're transporting kids, we're educating kids. I don't think we should be taking over a parent's role of making sure their children are not using drugs." While eager to make inroads in the fight against substance abuse among teens, some local school officials say they are unsure whether drug testing in the schools is the most effective approach. "The idea is worth discussing, but there are so many legal ramifications, and the practical details -- like when would it be done, how would it be done, who would pay for it -- all raise questions," said Chelmsford High School Principal Allen Thomas. Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey last week announced plans to allow interested school districts to conduct random drug testing of their students, provided parents give their permission. It's an idea being promoted by the Bush administration and its Office of National Drug Control Policy, which suggests drug testing is a powerful prevention tool. A 2002 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court sanctioned drug testing of students who participate in extracurricular activities, but civil libertarians argue that random drug testing of all students violates a student's privacy. The Romney administration believes seeking parental permission before conducting a drug test addresses that concern. Several school districts have already expressed interest in adopting a drug-testing program like the one Healey is proposing, including New Bedford. Salem Superintendent Herbert Levine drew national attention when he expressed support for the idea and went public with the story of his son, who became addicted to OxyContin while in high school. Healey's plan calls for providing funds to selected school districts for a comprehensive program that includes both drug testing and referral to treatment programs. The administration estimates the entire program would cost about $80,000 per district. While Lowell High School Headmaster William Samaras said he would welcome the right to drug-test a student who is suspected of being drunk or on drugs at school, he questioned the need to conduct random drug tests of all students. "If I had the right to drug-test someone who we suspected because of their behavior, that's one thing," Samaras said. "It would solidify our case, because a lot of parents are in denial. But to give me the power to do random testing, I don't think we're here to do that." Samaras noted that the school has several policies in place designed to identify students who might be using drugs, including the use of drug-sniffing dogs. During the most recent search of the school two weeks ago, the dogs turned up 13 "hits" on student lockers, Samaras said, but no drugs were found. Samaras said other prevention efforts are working, including a program that refers students in need to drug treatment. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek