Drug policy: 'work in progress'

Cameron County Area School District is considering a new tactic to attack what officials see as a persistent and growing problem: drug abuse among students.

A drug-testing policy being considered by the school board is a work in progress. Public input is being encouraged as the board moves forward.

The draft policy now being discussed, which calls for random testing of "activity students" and automatic testing of any student who is suspected of using alcohol or other drugs, will be debated at a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, at the high school library.

Board President Robert Lininger cautioned that the policy is far from a done deal.

"This is something that has been under consideration for years and now is the time for the public to be heard," Lininger said.

Purpose of the policy is to serve as a deterrent -- not as a punishment -- and to identify students who could benefit from counseling, according to Lininger.

"It's too bad we have to do it but, if it is a deterrent, than in my opinion it's worth it," he said.

He added that the school administrators will meet with drug and alcohol specialists, law enforcement officials, probation officers, Children and Youth Services specialists and others. They'll also review the plans in place at other school districts and sample policies provided by the Pa. School Boards Assn.

The current version of Cameron County's policy contains a "reasonable suspicion" clause, which allows parents to refer their children for urine tests if they suspect use of alcohol or other drugs. School officials would also be able to subject a student to a urine test if they suspected abuse.

All athletes, musicians and other students participating in extracurricular activities would be subject to random urine tests to detect the presence of marijuana, alcohol, amphetamines, opiates, steroids and other drugs.

Only "activity students" in grades 7-12 would be subject to the random testing. U.S. Supreme Court rulings prohibit testing of an entire school population.

No recording of test results would be placed on any student's permanent record. Sanctions for those who test positive would include an immediate 14-day suspension from extracurricular activities. Parents would be notified and the violator would be referred for evaluation and counseling.

Repeat offenders would get an eight-week suspension and be required to undergo drug and alcohol counseling at their own expense.

"Other students frequently model their own conduct on examples set by activity students," according to the proposed policy. "Thus, when a student chooses to participate in activities, he or she has also chosen to be a role model, and with that choice comes the responsibility of living a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle. The district recognizes that continued or long-term usage of these substances can affect the user academically, physically, and emotionally."

Studies confirm that school districts with drug testing programs in place have seen a decrease in the number of student using drugs.

If the Cameron County Area School District policy passes, the district may contract with Redwood Biotech Substance Abuse Screening to perform the tests.

Federal funding may be available next year and current financial aid the district is receiving might be able to be used to help defray testing expenses.

"Cost and the amount of funding available will be a driving force in determining how many students we'll be able to test," Lininger said.