| The
drug policy rolled out in Owen County schools last year has, by
all accounts, been a success and will be implemented at the middle
and high schools again in the 2006-2007 school year.
The policy — one of the first of its kind in Kentucky —
was based on legal opinions passed down from the Supreme Court
and is now serving as a model for other school systems in the
state.
Four test groups — athletes, student drivers, student volunteers
and employee volunteers — are subject to the random drug
testing policy, and 20-percent of each group is tested during
the screenings.
Tests are facilitated by a Lexington-based company, Forward Edge,
and test dates are not known to anyone in the district.
Last year, there were seven test dates — three in the fall
semester and four in the spring — resulting in a total of
approximately 300 random drug tests administered at OCHS. That
is slightly more than half the enrollment of the school. Only
four students returned positive drug tests, Superintendent Mark
Cleveland said. “We didn’t catch many, but that’s
not the intent. This policy is set up to be non-punitive in nature
and we don’t really want things to get to that point.”
First-time offenders forfeit their rights (athletes cannot play,
drivers may not drive) and are tested five consecutive weeks while
enrolled in a certified counseling program at the student’s
expense. A second offense within a consecutive 24-month period
renders the student ineligible for a year, and after a third offense,
students become ineligible for the remainder of his or her high
school career.
The system is not perfect, however.
Consider this scenario: John Doe tests positive for drugs his
freshman year as an athlete, goes to counseling and remains clean
for two years.
As a junior, he is randomly chosen to take a drug test and, again,
tests positive. Since 24 months have elapsed, Doe only faces consequences
as a first-time offender.
In its first year, the policy turned up only four students who
tested positive for drugs. OCHS principal Tim Hitzfield sees this
as a positive indication the policy is working.
The biggest advantage of administering random drug tests, in Hitzfield’s
opinion, are the options it gives his students. “It gives
kids an out. At a party, it allows a student to say, ‘I
can’t because I might be tested.’”
Cleveland agrees, and does not see the district’s policy
changing in the near future.
“Our goal,” Cleveland said, “is to let people
know we care. All of this is done to provide a safe environment.
I think the board (of education) is to be applauded for taking
a stand.”
Click
Here to Go Back to Front |
