Pubdate: Thu, 22 Mar 2007
Source: Asbury Park Press (NJ)
Copyright: 2007 Asbury Park Press
Contact:  http://www.app.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/26
Author: Erik Larsen, Coastal Monmouth Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PANEL: RANDOM TESTING A USEFUL TOOL IN WAR ON DRUGS

WEST LONG BRANCH -- Random drug testing of students is not a panacea 
in preventing substance abuse, but it is an effective weapon for 
school administrators in the war on drugs, educators and experts said 
Wednesday.

A six-hour-long conference -- held at Branches banquet hall on 
Monmouth Road and sponsored by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's 
Office and Prevention First -- brought together a bevy of authorities 
on the issue.

New Jersey became the first state in 2005 to approve the use of 
random drug testing in public schools for students involved in 
extracurricular activities, over the objections of organizations such 
as the American Civil Liberties Union.

Since then, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association 
has tested a random number of student athletes who qualify to compete 
in state championship competitions.

In Monmouth County, Middletown, Colts Neck and Shore Regional high 
schools are among those schools that conduct mandatory random drug 
testing on potentially all students involved in extracurricular 
activities, including non-athletes.

Ocean Township Superintendent of Schools Thomas M. Pagano said his 
district will consider the same policy next year, after the township 
has had a chance to implement planned sobriety tests at its school dances.

Kevin Jala, 17, and Dan Velez, 17, both Middletown High School North 
seniors, are both enrolled in the random drug testing program though 
neither has been tested so far, they told the conference.

Velez said that although some student athletes objected to the 
testing at first, most were not bothered by the program and it has 
cut down on substance abuse among students at Middletown North.

"They've stopped doing it," Velez said. "Because there's too much to 
lose. Some of them are going on to colleges to play sports."

Jala said the testing that has taken place has been discreet -- the 
only way a test becomes public knowledge is if the student tested 
discusses the matter.

"There's no widespread rumors that get started," Jala said.

Middletown Interim Superintendent of Schools Karen Bilbao said 
student surveys conducted last spring showed that 60 percent of 
students were using alcohol or drugs while socializing with friends, 
while 30 percent were allowed to drink to some degree in the presence 
of their parents inside the privacy of the home.

Bilboa said this revelation called on the district to reassess its values.

"There was a culture of acceptance among students, and even among our 
parents, of drug abuse," Bilboa said.

Colts Neck High School Principal Chris Steffner said Colts Neck could 
expect to spend about $2,000 to $3,000 per year on the testing, which 
is pretty typical of the cost statewide.

Steffner said there is widespread support on campus for the drug 
testing program.

A positive drug test does not result in academic suspension, but it 
does result in a suspension from the extracurricular the student is 
participating in -- in Colts Neck for a week, in Middletown for 30 
days -- and an immediate medical examination, drug addiction 
counseling and whatever other help is deemed necessary.

Douglas S. Collier, a special agent with the federal Drug Enforcement 
Agency, made a spirited presentation about the dangers of steroids, 
which remain among a favorite illegal substance among both male and 
female student athletes.

"Just because you take it doesn't mean you're going to get big," 
Collier said. "Why are we so concerned about our adolescents? Four 
percent of 12th graders have reported using steroids at least once."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman