DRUG SCREENING A GOOD FIT, EPS OFFICIALS SAY

It has been nearly three years since Enid Public Schools implemented
a random drug-testing policy for students in grades 8-12, and the
program is going quite well according to school officials.

Initially, officials said, some parents were not thrilled about the
testing, and several students protested with a flier campaign.

Students said at the time there was not enough information available
to students and parents about the program and advised residents to
investigate the policy.

Kim Poslick, Enid Public Schools drug education coordinator, said
since then she has seen only a few parents and students hesitant
about the testing.

She said she now has some parents call and ask to have their children
tested, but since the procedure is non-bias and random no specific
student can be tested. She said the program is going smoothly, and
with each testing things get a bit easier.

The district tests 70 to 80 students a month, with 40 to 50 of those
in Enid High School, Poslick said. Testing also covers Waller,
Emerson and Longfellow junior high schools.

So far this school year, no student has tested positive.

Superintendent Kem Keithly said he believes drug testing has helped
decrease the number of students using substances in the district. He
said only three or four students each year test positive.

"The goal was to give students one more reason to say no," said Amber
Graham Fitzgerald, EPS school and community relations director.

What is involved

The policy requires students and parents to sign a testing consent
form before the student participates in extracurricular activities.

Schools conduct orientation sessions about the process, privacy
arrangements and drug-testing procedures.

The testing is a four-step process: collection, screening,
confirmation and review. Students selected randomly are administered
the test by an administrator responsible for tracking each urine
sample through the testing process. This is done, in part, officials
say, to prevent outside attempts to alter tests. The sample cups come
with a temperature gauge to prevent cheating with outside samples.

If a test is positive for drugs or alcohol, a school counselor or
principal schedules a conference with the student and his or her
parents or guardian.

The first offense results in a student being suspended from
participation in all extracurricular activities for 10 school days.

A second offense within the same school year results in another
conference, this time with the activity coach or sponsor in
attendance, too. Students face suspension from activities for 40
school days. However, students can reduce suspension by attending
weekly counseling with a trained professional.

A third offense within the same school year can result in a
suspension from all extracurricular activities for 88 school days.
This may carry over into the next school year, if necessary.

How it began

Testing began in 2005, when Enid schools received a $25,000 Champlin
Foundation donation.

Board members established a study group to look into specifics of the
drug-testing program prior to voting to accept the program.

The district also earned a three-year, $50,000 grant to help fund the
program. Each test costs the district $30. Testing for the district
is done through Integris Bass Baptist Health Center.

Poslick said conditions of the grant include a district sitting out a
year at the end of the three years before re-seeking the grant. This
requires districts to raise money for the testing program on its own
for a year before it can re-apply for the federal grant.

Why it is worth it

Poslick said since implementation of the Enid program, she has had
the opportunity to help other districts start programs. She said she
is more than willing to answer questions from officials of other
schools about tests when they are first starting.

When it comes to drugs and alcohol, Poslick said, parents need to be cautious.

"Kids will try it and be kids," she said. "As adults, it is our job
to set boundaries for them."

Fairview Public Schools also has random drug testing at the high
school level, selecting five students from each grade.

Poslick said the efforts are paying off.

"If one kid doesn't choose to drink or use drugs, then its worth
while," she said. "The earlier and the younger they are, the greater
their risk is of addiction."