PotShot

Branson to begin random drug testing
Superintendent says he has heard no opposition to mandatory procedures
Kathryn Buckstaff | News-Leader.com | July 30, 2006

BRANSON — The Branson School District will begin mandatory, random drug testing of most students in grades seven through 12 Monday under a policy adopted by the school board this spring.

Superintendent Doug Hayter said he had encountered almost no opposition to the testing plan.

It was studied beginning last October by a 12-member committee of students, parents, teachers, administrators, community members and board members who recommended the drug testing to the school board.

Hayter said there was not a widespread problem with drugs in the district, "but we didn't want to be naive about drugs and alcohol. We forget that school is a mirror of society, and to sit here in the middle of the meth capital of the country, it would be naive to think there's no problem."

The policy was reviewed by the district's attorneys and the Missouri School Board Association, he said. In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled the testing did not violate students' privacy rights.

The testing — estimated annual cost: $20,000 — applies to students who participate in some extracurricular activities or who apply for school parking privileges — about 60 percent of the 1,700 students in junior and senior high.

The policy distributed to students and parents says testing covers all sports, cheerleading and dance troupe. It does not include activities, such as drama or band, that are tied to grades or credit classes. Hayter said the policy will be evaluated next spring.

The test screens for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamine and opiates; not steroids or alcohol, Hayter said. A positive test — confirmed by a second screening — would result in suspension of activities for 28 days. A second offense merits a 365-day suspension. Any medications a student is taking would be taken into account, and test results will be strictly confidential, Hayter said.

Student support

Junior Zach Fletcher, 16, is on the basketball team. He's not concerned about the testing, he said, and friends of his "are fine with it."

"I think it's kind of stupid to do a test to park your car, but I think it will discourage kids who play sports from doing drugs," Fletcher said. "A lot of kids really care about sports, and I'm sure for some of them it would be a pretty powerful motivator."

Fletcher said he thought fewer than 30 percent of Branson students use drugs.

"I don't think it's a big problem," he said. "It's not like everyone uses drugs."

Nor does he see the testing as an invasion of his privacy, he said.

"I don't think it's really a factor when it comes to taking care of a drug problem," he said.

Sixteen-year-old Kelsey Combs, point guard on the girls' basketball team, has a slightly different view.

"There's a really big drug use problem in Branson," Combs said. "I think it's a good idea for those kids that are peer pressured into doing things they really don't want to do," Combs said. "It will give them a way out. Even for the people who drive on the parking lot, it's also a good idea."

Personal liberty

USA Today recently reported that drug tests are done at less than 3 percent of public secondary schools nationwide, but federal funds for the programs could grow. President Bush has asked Congress to increase the grant money by 45 percent next year to $15 million.

The American Civil Liberties Union and groups such as the Drug Policy Alliance say there is no proof that testing deters drug use, it is a waste of school resources and some schools have discontinued the practice.

The American Academy of Pediatrics opposes such testing, saying that the appropriate response to suspicion of drug abuse is referral to a qualified healthcare professional.

Bill Lennon said he was the only parent to speak to the issue at the school board meeting when the board unanimously approved testing. His son is a junior on student council and in the band. Lennon thinks the $20,000 for testing could be better spent, and the policy is an invasion of privacy.

The program is not going to test for alcohol or steroids, "which I think are much bigger issues than marijuana use. Why not spend the money on an excellent drug-education course that will counteract all drugs?"

The district participates in the police-sponsored DARE program and covers drug abuse in health classes, Hayter said. Students who test positive will receive information about counseling programs.

"It does seem like an invasion of personal liberty," Lennon said. "It's a search and seizure without a warrant, and that's un-American. The idea that if you've got nothing to hide it's OK is so '1984' Orwellian, and that's how the erosion of freedoms starts. If the program was with the permission of parents of the individual students, I would have much less of a problem with that."

He also thinks the program targets the wrong students.

"The kids they test aren't the problem, so for the stoners, if they're out there, it's very discouraging for those who most need to participate in after-school activities," Lennon said.

Other districts

Branson's screenings will be done on urine samples by Employee Screening Services Inc. in Springfield, which conducts screenings at numerous other schools including Hollister, Ava, Logan-Rogersville, Reeds Spring, Billings, Bolivar, Bradleyville, Marshfield, Sparta, Blue Eye, Clever, Forsyth and Crane.

Springfield's five high schools do not do drug testing.

Hollister School District has used drug testing for two years, said assistant superintendent Dan Vandiver.

Vandiver said he heard few complaints from students or parents about the program.

"If you've got a student on the borderline, and he wants to play basketball, and someone offers him something, and he knows there's a chance he might be tested and it might cost him basketball, it might be another reason to say no," Vandiver said. Although the testing remains truly random, he said, "We've had parents come in and ask us to test their kids."

replica

Ug. Double ug. I hope the ACLU steps up on this one. It is a complete disregard for civil rights. Oh and shocking that Bush is right behind it.

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Tokamak

The students most likely to be tested will be athletes, but they AREN'T testing for steroid use? WTF? Does this make sense to anyone? I played football for a couple of years in highschool, and our coach actually PROVIDED steroids to some of the players (found that out after graduation, else I would have busted his ass... highschool football coaches are the biggest a-holes I have ever known). I bet the entire athletics department had a big hand in keeping steroids off of the list.

Peace.

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dedbr

aren't they testing for caffiene and nicotine and alcohol? At least alcohol and nicotine? Aren't they illegal for juveniles to have?

How in the hell are the tests results "strictly confidential" if I get suspended for it?

I think the jokes on us again......


Some Where In Ded Land.....

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jabmf316

If you're gonna have a test, you're selling yourself short when you miss the most destructive substances like alcohol, nicotine and steroids. And in reality, This is only to strike a balance. Somewhat safe things in life are generally pretty safe, until ignorant/dumb/malicious people get their hands on them. Now who's faught is that? Each and everyone of us has to suffer until eternity because of those that are accident prone or irresponsible? I also, personally think that testing all children could be a good thing. Strike a balance by testing the children and leaving the adults alone. I for one think that's a fair trade in an not-so-fair world.
Peace

j