Pubdate: Fri, 03 Feb 2006
Source: Cranbury Press (NJ)
Copyright: Packet Online 2006
Contact:  http://www.cranburypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2181
Author: Marisa Maldonado, Staff Writer	
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

BOARD EYES DRUG TESTS

Students at Monroe Township High School who participate in sports,
co-curricular activities, or have parking permits could be randomly
drug-tested in September.

MONROE -- The school board is considering rules that would require
random drug testing among certain groups of students at Monroe
Township High School beginning in September.

Superintendent Ralph Ferrie said Jan. 25 that about 10 percent of
athletes, students involved in co-curricular activities and students
with parking permits could be tested. Students would be suspended from
the team or activity if they tested positive for drugs, he said, but
they would not be suspended from school.

"It's to identify and assist, not to punish," he said.

The proposal comes after former Gov. Richard Codey signed legislation
on Dec. 20 that would require all sports teams that participate in a
state championship game to undergo random drug testing starting in
September. Former Gov. Codey also expressed a desire to expand testing
to all students within two to three years.

The high school distributes 300 parking passes each year through a
lottery, Assistant High School Principal James Griffin said. Only
seniors are eligible to receive passes.

The drug tests could benefit more than just sports teams, student
representatives to the school board said at last week's meeting.

Just the threat of a parent finding out about drug use could deter
some students from risky behavior, representative Darren Goldberg said.

"Without this, there would be virtually a minimal way to find out if
(a student) is a user," said Darren, a senior.

The high school already conducts drug tests on students who are
suspected users. This year, Dr. Ferrie said, 19 out of about 32
students who were identified as suspected users came back with
positive drug tests.

Those students were suspended from school and required to meet with a
student assistance counselor, Dr. Ferrie said.

"When you have a student body approaching 1,400, I would say these
numbers are very favorable," he said. "(But) we would like to see no
problem."

Student representative Brian Hackett asked why the policy couldn't be
aimed at the entire student body.

"It's logical, Dr. Ferrie said, "but unconstitutional."

Although testing all students for drugs is considered
unconstitutional, programs such as one at the Hunterdon Central School
District have survived legal challenges, Dr. Ferrie said.

The American Civil Liberties Union sued Hunterdon Central in 2000 on
behalf of three families arguing that the policy was forbidden under
the state constitution. The state Supreme Court upheld Hunterdon
Central's policy two years later, citing the school's need to protect
its students, but said any other school drug testing policies must be
considered separately.

At Hunterdon Central, first-time offenders are required to undergo a
medical examination at their parents' expense, participate in a
prevention program and undergo five sessions with a student assistance
counselor. Students also are removed from their team or club until a
follow-up drug test comes back negative.

Second-time offenders at Hunterdon Central are suspended from the
activity for 60 days, Dr. Ferrie said.

New Jersey's new law is the first of its kind in the country. Any
policy Monroe enacts would have to be reviewed annually, Dr. Ferrie
said.

Board members expressed enthusiasm about random drug testing. Board
member Harold Pollack said it could help identify students who need
help but have slipped under the radar.

"Parents and grandparents sometimes know very little about what their
children are doing, particularly in a drug situation," Mr. Pollack
said. "We unfortunately sometimes ignore signs that should be picked
up."

Board member John Leary suggested that the district also test students
for steroids.

"That's been an increased area of concern," he said. "(Steroids) can
have serious health implications."

While drug testing for state championship participants would be paid
for by the state, Monroe would foot the bill for any additional tests.

For the program to start in September, Dr. Ferrie said, funding would
have to be provided in this year's school budget. The cost of the
program is unknown.

Resident Thomas Nothstein, who spoke at the meeting, applauded the
plan and suggested that funding for the DARE program could be used to
pay for the testing.

"Based on statistics I read, the DARE program isn't as effective as it
should be," he said. "The money might be better spent going toward a
random drug test."
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MAP posted-by: Derek