DRUG TESTS FOR PV 7TH-GRADERS?

District Surveys Parents on Whom to Test

NORTHEAST VALLEY - The Paradise Valley Unified School District is
considering testing students as young as those in seventh grade for
drugs.

The district sent home a survey to the families of high school
students and is giving the survey to middle-school parents during
parent-teacher conferences this week, district spokeswoman Judi Willis
said.

The survey asks several questions, including whether parents support
random drug testing of students in middle and high school if their
parents give permission. They also give other possible options,
including testing students who drive to school. The district already
randomly tests high school student-athletes and those in
extracurricular clubs.

If a student tests positive, law enforcement is not involved, and
there are no disciplinary consequences at the school, but he or she
isn't allowed to participate in the sport or club. Parents are also
told.

This past summer, Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley offered the
district $20,000 to expand the testing, Willis said.

District officials, high school and middle-school principals wanted
more parent opinions. Their opinions will determine whether the
recommendation is given to the governing board.

Gina Jeanette, who has a daughter at Sunrise Middle School and a son
at Horizon High School, supports random drug testing for all students
starting in seventh grade.

"It's crucial to hit them at that age," she said. She said she was
shocked to hear that when her daughter was in sixth grade, some of the
students in her class were experimenting with drugs.