School Board Adopts Student Drug Testing

The Quinlan School Board unanimously adopted a student drug-testing program Monday night at its monthly meeting.

The program provides for random drug testing of students who participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities and those who park their vehicles on school property.

Supt. Micheal French said the program was aimed at the health and safety of students and to counteract the peer pressure put on students.

"We want to prevent and deter kids from using drugs," he said and wanted to make it "not to be popular to indulge in those activities."

He estimated the price of the program at $12,000 to $16,000 a year. "It is a small price to pay," he said. "I’ve been associated with this before, and I know it saved a kid’s life."

The introduction of the policy states that more than half of all students had used illicit drugs by the time they finished high school according to a national survey reported in 2002 when the Supreme Court ruled that public schools could test students for illegal drugs.

"Research shows that people who make it through their teenage years without using tobacco, alcohol or drugs are much less likely to start them when they are older," the policy states. "If testing can keep kids off drugs and alcohol, if it can allow them to grow into productive citizens, it will be a valuable tool against dependence or addiction to harmful drugs."

The policy states, "This program has been established to give kids who face daily pressure from their peers to experiment with drugs an ‘out’ by participating in extracurricular activities."

Provision is included to test for amphetamines, alcohol, barbiturates, cocaine, LSD, marijuana, opiates, phencyclidine, propoxphyene and benzodiazepines."

The new policy is not to modify disciplinary provisions of the Student Code of Conduct "if a student sells, gives, delivers, possesses, uses or is under the influence of marijuana, a controlled substance, a dangerous drug, or alcohol…"

However the new policy is to be academically non-punitive. "A positive drug test will not affect the student’s grade in any curricular class associated with the extracurricular activities. However, if participation in extracurricular activities is required for the class or affects the student’s grade, the student may be required to satisfy participation requirements in alternative ways," the policy states. "The result of the drug tests will not be documented in the student’s academic records."

A voluntary program is also included in the new policy. "In addition to the mandatory program for students parking on school property or participating in extracurricular activities, the district provides and encourages participation in a voluntary testing program for seventh through 12th grade students…" the policy states. "The intent of the voluntary program is to send a clear and consistent message to all students about the potential dangers of use and abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs. The goal of the voluntary program is to raise the level of awareness and provide preventative education and intervention in order to promote a healthy and substance-free lifestyle for all students."

The voluntary program provides for students and parents to sign consent forms. The student may withdraw from the voluntary program at any time, but parents will be notified of the withdrawal.

If a test in the voluntary program is returned positive, a conference is held by a district administrator with the student and parent or guardian. A list of available resources will be provided, and resulting counseling will be a parental decision.