Pubdate: Fri, 25 Aug 2006 Source: Sapulpa Daily Herald (OK) Copyright: 2006 Sapulpa Herald. Contact: http://www.sapulpadailyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2038 Author: Heather Sleightholm, Herald Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN' Sapulpa Public Schools Implements Drug Testing For Students Involved In Extracurricular Activities Sapulpa high school and junior high students returning to school this fall hoping to participate in any competitive extra-curricular activities will now be subject to random drug testing in order to participate. The drug testing policy was approved at a July school board meeting, and includes students participating in sports, choir, band, FFA and any other organization that participates in interscholastic competition. The policy passed with three of four votes by the school board, and was written in accordance with similar school policies that have withstood the Supreme Court and states that any student in a competitive activity is eligible for random testing. "We feel that having this test will give students a reason to say no to drugs," said Associate Superintendent Dr. Mary Webb at the July board meeting. While some concerns were brought up at the meeting about the need to test for drugs in competitive activities outside of sports, superintendent Dr. Joe Crowder stated that, "a big push for this testing program came come from parents with students in band and FFA." Sapulpa Athletic Director Tom Ballenger said drug testing is a hot topic right now and has been implemented at many schools in the area. "Every school in our area has some form of drug testing," he said. "It's a major safety issue for the kids and the school. I think it can help to ensure students have a chance of staying drug-free. It gives an athlete the opportunity to resist peer pressure." If an athlete fails a drug test for the first time, the punishment is more helpful than punitive. "It doesn't punish as much as help the student," Ballenger said. "They won't lose their spot on the team, but they will probably face counseling and further drug testing. According to the drug test policy, each student will be provided with a copy of a "Student Drug Consent Form" that is to be signed and dated by the student, parent or custodial guardian and coach/sponsor before the student is eligible to participate. The consent form gives the school permission to collect a urine sample and/or hair follicle when selected by a random outside source. The policy goes on to state that, "The principal shall designate a school employee of the same sex as the student to accompany the student to a restroom or other private facility behind a closed stall. "The monitor shall not observe the student while the specimen is being produced, but the monitor shall be present outside the stall to listen for the normal sounds of urination in order to guard against tampered specimens and to insure an accurate chain of custody." All testing will be done with confidentiality, and if the principal is notified by the testing lab of a positive test, they will only notify the student, head coach/sponsor and the parent or guardian. Consequences for positive tests will be dealt with on a three strikes basis. For the first offense, the parent or guardian will be notified immediately and a private conference will be scheduled with the parent, student, sponsor or coach and the principal. The policy goes on to say that "In order to continue participation in the activity the student and parent must show proof that the student received drug counseling within five days of the meeting and submit to a second drug test within two weeks. The cost of the second test will be absorbed by the student and their parent." If a student is tested at a later date and once again tests positive, this is considered a second offense. According to the policy, a second offense requires "suspension from participation in all activities covered under this policy for a minimum of two competitive activities and no more than 20 percent of the activity in 14 calendar days." The student must also successfully complete four meetings of substance abuse education and counseling provided by the school. The student is also not allowed to participate in any meetings, practices, scrimmages or competitions during this period and will be subjected to up to three additional drug tests on a monthly basis until they pass the test. A third offense will result in complete suspension from participation in all extra-curricular activities including all meetings, practices, performances and competition for the remainder of the school year, or sixty school days, whichever is longer. Students are accountable for each subsequent offense for the remainder of their school career, which means any offense from the eighth to 12th grade is considered. Students who refuse to submit to a drug test authorized by the policy will be made ineligible to participate in any activities covered under the policy, including all meetings, practices, performances and competitions for the remainder of the school year. Of course, this new policy is not meant to replace the general drug policy already used in the district, and any student found to be in possession of drugs on school property will still face suspension. This drug testing policy was written in accordance with a drug testing policy in Tecumseh, which was challenged in the Supreme Court and found to be constitutional. And while some parents and students may feel that the policy is an invasion of privacy, the administration feels that it is needed to ensure the safety of students and an incentive to remain drug free. Students more than likely will be asked to sign a drug-testing consent form this week and will be subject to testing immediately. All testing and the selection of the students tested are done outside the district by computer. It is difficult to tell then how many times, if any, a student will be selected for testing, but they should be made aware that it could happen at any time through the school year, not just during a particular season. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman