BE INFORMED ABOUT DRUG TESTING

My column last week, in which I discussed how important the selection
of a new superintendent was to the future of our community, struck a
chord with a lot of people. I have received numerous e-mails and have
been approached on the street by people who agreed with my assessment,
as well as my hope that our new superintendent would be focused like a
laser beam on academic achievement and excellence.

Sometime before the end of this school year, the Scott County Board of
Education will sequester itself in a room and make a decision that
will have a profound impact on our community for years to come.
However, that will not be the only important decision our school board
will be making this year. In fact, it could be argued that, while
selecting a new superintendent is certainly the most important
personnel decision the board will make, it may not be the most
important decision that directly affects our kids' lives.

If that seems like a strong statement, it is meant to be. Because,
while the leadership shown by a new superintendent will undoubtedly
impact the quality of education in our community, the decision that
will be made by the school board concerning random drug testing in our
schools could save my son's life, or your child's life ... sooner than
any of us wants to admit.

I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that the most dangerous
problem confronting today's youth is drug abuse, which more likely
than not, can result in drug addiction. This possibility seems to put
many adults into a state of denial. "My kids," you might say, "are
good kids who would never abuse drugs." If this is the first thought
that comes to your mind, you need to wake up and face reality. Drug
abuse knows no societal or economic class, and it can happen to my
kid, your kid or anybody's kid.

This unfortunate fact has resulted in hundreds of school systems
throughout the country initiating random drug-testing programs. The
purpose of such a program is straightforward ... to help kids. In
fact, these programs undoubtedly save lives. And now, after almost two
years of study, our school system seems ready to step into the breech
and engage in this battle against student drug abuse.

However, if such a program is to be successful, our school system must
make sure that members of our community, parents and students,
understand exactly what the program is intended to accomplish. Only
then, when everyone involved understands that the only reason such a
program is being implemented is to help kids, will it achieve its full
potential.

In an effort to educate our community on this matter, the Scott County
Board of Education, in conjunction with Scott Countians Against Drugs,
will host a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 in the high school
auditorium to thoroughly discuss random drug testing in our schools.
The speakers at this meeting include the superintendent of the Nelson
County School System, Janice O. Lantz, Ed.D., who has been
instrumental in implementing a drug testing program in her community,
as well as Jon Akers, Ed.D., a former high school principal who
currently serves as the executive director of the Kentucky Center for
School Safety. Additionally, the forum will have a representative from
a drug-testing company to explain the actual procedures for such testing.

The format of this meeting has been developed to educate our
community, and there is perhaps no better way to accomplish this goal
than to hear from people who have walked this path previously. After
hearing these presentations, community members will be allowed to
submit questions to clarify any concerns you may have. Equally
important, attendees will be asked to complete a questionnaire so your
input can be considered by the board of education before it makes a
decision on such a crucial program.

Whether we want to admit it or not, our community, like any other
community, has a problem with student drug abuse, and it's time we did
something positive to resolve the problem. You, as a parent, or a
concerned member of our community, need to take the time to attend
this forum at the high school. By becoming informed, we will be better
prepared to improve the lives of our children. Now, there is a goal we
can all agree with.