STUDENTS MAY BE DRUG TESTED

Jackson public schools officials are looking into testing students for drugs.

Discussions are just beginning and no decisions have been made, officials said.

However, members of a school-board subcommittee have discussed a plan
where students, with parental consent, would voluntarily sign up for
random testing, said school board Trustee Michael Brown, who led the committee.

``Our goal would be certainly preventative. It would not be to play
the role of law enforcement,'' district spokeswoman A'Lynne Robinson
said. ``It would simply be to make sure our students are healthy and
they're functioning at their top possible position.''

Some officials, including Athletic Director Russell Davis, have said
at least student-athletes should be tested, a practice seen in many
districts already.

And committee members are proposing extending that effort to all
students and staff to promote a drug-free environment, Brown said.

``The druggies aren't going to sign up for it,'' said Sarah Wright, a
Jackson High School sophomore. ``They might be stoned, but they're
not always that stupid.''

The prospect of random drug testing does not come without protest,
especially from those who say it is a breech of their civil liberties.

``It's an invasion of privacy,'' said Jackson junior Jodice Boutire.

``But at the same time kids come to the school high,'' said Diazure
Johnson, replying to Boutire.

Brown said the board understands students' privacy concerns, which is
why they are developing the program slowly. The group is soliciting
input from health professionals, legal experts, officials from other
school districts and community members.

``They just want to make sure people's rights are protected, and I
do, too,'' Brown said.

The American Civil Liberties Union opposes random student drug
testing, contending it does not deter students from using drugs, said
Rana Elmir, communications director for the ACLU of Michigan.

``Drug testing is expensive and the bottom line is it really takes
away scarce dollars,'' Elmir said. ``We feel the best way to prevent
drug use among these young people is through open and honest
communication and not these trust-eroding means.''

Brown said the committee has not yet considered how to pay for the
testing. The school district could apply for a federal grant, pay for
it through the general fund, or ask those tested to bear the cost.

In March 2006, St. Joseph Health System in Tawas City created a
voluntary student drug-testing program for two school districts in
northern Michigan. It was made possible by a grant from the White
House Office of National Drug Policy and the U.S. Department of Education.

``There was some question as to if kids are using drugs why would
they sign up,'' said Annie Griffis, St. Joseph's program manager.
``We hoped that it would at least start some conversation between the
parents and the kids.''

Griffis said after two years, enrollment in the program has risen
from 6 percent to 32 percent of students.

``For a voluntary program, that's very good,'' Griffis said.

Brown said he will give a committee report to the board at its
regular meeting next week. The committee will reconvene in August
when it is expected to tackle the drug testing proposal, he said.