Pubdate: Sun, 9 Dec 2007 Source: Republican & Herald (PA) Copyright: 2007 Pottsville Republican, Inc Contact: http://republicanherald.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1047 Note: Writing for The Spartan Task Force are Bonnie K. Yanuskiewicz, facilitator; Eleanor L. Sanayka, scribe, and Michael Evans, committee chairman. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) RANDOM DRUG TESTING IN STUDENTS' BEST INTERESTS The North Schuylkill Spartan Task Force was formed in December of 2006 as a proactive group working toward making our educational community a safer environment. This committee is comprised of administrators, staff, community agencies, emergency personnel, law enforcement, parents and students from not only the North Schuylkill School District, but other areas of Schuylkill County who share our concerns. The group was implemented because we, as professionals, felt we could make a positive difference and create a safer atmosphere at our school. Initially, the Spartan Task Force formed three primary committees, Outreach to Students, Outreach to Parents and Safe Haven. Suggestions from each of these committees generated programs that serve to educate on various issues such as, but not limited to, bullying, violence, harassment, probation, nonviolent conflict resolution, diversity and drugs/alcohol. All of the programs contribute to providing that safer environment for our school community. Cadets from Northwest Academy talked with our students, Schuylkill County Juvenile Probation provided student programs, Good Samaritan presented an inhalants display at lunches, State Correctional Institute shared information of better choice making, Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol consistently presents information to students and adults, the Philadelphia Police presented the Heads Up Program to students and parents and informational postcards were mailed to parents of every student in grades 6-12. The Spartan Task Force also set up an anonymous reporting system that allows students the opportunity to share at-risk information with staff. The Safe and Drug Free Schools Consortium has been instrumental in providing funds to support these programs. Additionally, the North Schuylkill school board has shown dedication toward its students by adopting policy consistent with the Spartan Task Force's efforts to educate our Spartan community. In response to various situations that transpired last year within the school setting, the Task Force decided to research the idea of Random Drug Testing in the school setting. After much review of existing programs, it was clear that this would not be a "fix" for all of the drug-related issues that arise, but that it may deter drug use within the school community. If one student decides not to do drugs because he/she wants to play basketball, participate in band or drive to school, then we have accomplished something positive. If that one student who decides to clean up or stay away from drugs altogether is your child, then we really have accomplished something great. These students who are being tested today at North Schuylkill may one day be tested for drugs if he or she wants to participate in sports at the collegiate level or as mandated by an employer. Drugs are illegal and we will continue to attempt to keep them out of our school. If someone does test positive, the procedure includes an avenue for rehabilitation. Certainly, there are some students who will not be tested due to the present interpretation of the law, so the school's hands are tied. We cannot just ignore the chance to save some of the students who participate in extracurricular activities simply because we cannot test everyone. Drugs do not show partiality; they infiltrate every faction of society. We will continue to reach every student possible with hopes that again, we can change at least one student's life. The North Schuylkill school board and our administration have only proven how much they care about our students by forging ahead with this drug testing. The brave decision that our leaders at North Schuylkill put into policy is only in the best interest of the students. One can never determine what the end result will be of a student on drugs; that student may harm herself, himself or others. Taking drugs without a physician's advice never has a positive outcome. Before this policy on drug testing was implemented, the information was presented to interested parents at a public meeting. Because of parental concern on issues, several changes in the policy regarding procedure were then implemented based on these discussions. The North Schuylkill school board should be commended for taking the suggestions made by parents as instrumental and making appropriate changes without jeopardizing the procedure. The Random Drug Testing program that is now in place at North Schuylkill Jr.-Sr. High School has been just one of the many initiatives that have commenced since the formation of this task force. The Task Force continues to provide programs within the school day that may change the minds of students who are thinking about experimenting with drugs or students who might want to make healthier choices. The parental programs being sponsored by the Task Force will hopefully provide valuable information. The Spartan Task Force will continue to provide educational opportunities and maintain a vested interest in our entire North Schuylkill community. It is only because of our ongoing concern for every student at North Schuylkill that we, the Spartan Task Force, anticipate maintaining a positive presence. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake