Pubdate: Mon, 10 Apr 2006 Source: Oklahoman, The (OK) Copyright: 2006 The Oklahoma Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.oklahoman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318 Author: Jodie Lynn Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) PARENTS SAY DRUG TEST WARNINGS SENSELESS The school gives students random drug tests but tells the students a week in advance and provides them with the testing date. This is proving to be futile as many of the drugs are out of the body's system within a week. As a group of concerned high school parents, what would be the best way to get this changed? Can you help? I was doing my 13-year-old daughter's laundry and found a note in her back pocket from a friend. I know at this age, hormones are kicking in. But should I contact the other parent and let her know what is being said? This is my daughter's best friend since third grade, so I know her mother well. When I confront my daughter about certain issues, she is quiet and refuses to talk to me. I am not sure what to do. I was shocked to find out the ninth-grade volleyball coach gave out condoms during an after-school practice; the team is all girls. Is this something that is perceived as normal behavior from coaches? My daughter thinks it's perfectly OK, which leads me to my next question: can she also be on birth control without me knowing it? Please share your tips and help other parents. Send them or parenting questions to Parent to Parent, 2464 Taylor Road, Suite 131, Wildwood, MO 63040. Send e-mail to or through the ParentToParent.com Web site. The high school my children attend does the same thing. The students are told which day the random testing will be done, one week in advance. This makes no sense to the parents whatsoever. It gives the students who are using drugs an opportunity to get them out of their systems before testing. When we ask about it, school officials tell us it is the fair thing to do in a public school system. We are all wondering to whom it is fair. Our proposal to have this rule changed is still probably sitting on the superintendent's desk, while we are left in the dark and have yet to receive one phone call. S.T., Hewitt, Texas We parents went through a similar situation with the local high school. However, the students found out from others who work in the office and not from an announcement. While the school personnel say they do not release dates to anyone, it still goes on. This is a public school, apparently, where ghosts roam around and talk, as in, "Mr. Nobody" did it. P.B., Fort Wayne, Ind. JODIE: This is one of the hottest debates in homes with teens and in schools. On one side, you have an impressive group of experts who vouch for random drug testing and say it prevents and discourages students from using drugs. On the other side, you have just as many knowledgeable experts who say that there are few drugs that teens cannot get out of their system in a four-or five-day period and that the school personnel should be able to spot teens who are taking drugs without wasting school funds. Still others say that the whole thing is a violation of one's privacy. And another group says that the most popular tests cover the use of five drugs, which the school must identify to the students/parents. This may be one of the things that is happening in your school, presenting a perfect opportunity for students to use different ones that will not be on the tests. However, if the testing dates are being announced, you will have to take it up with the school board, file a legal grievance by the district's guidelines and follow procedures from there. It might be a long, drawn-out battle, but if you are in favor of the testing and not the announcements, then it might be worth it. Jodie Lynn's latest book is "Syndication Secrets -- What No One Will Tell You!" - --- MAP posted-by: Derek