SCHOOL SYSTEM PROGRAMS A DETERRENT IN PRESENT, FUTURE

Student drug testing is an issue charged with emotion and strong
opinions -- for and against. Should we or shouldn't we? Does cutting a
few strands of hair to test for drugs, as the Jefferson Parish (La.)
Public School System does, constitute a personal invasion of rights
that outweighs the benefit of deterring drug use? The U.S. Supreme
Court ruled "no," allowing drug testing of students engaging in
"strenuous" extracurricular activities.

So, during the 2002-3003 school year, the Jefferson Parish Public
School System began its drug-testing program -- funded entirely by the
federal government --- and tested students engaged in "strenuous"
extracurricular activities. That included athletes and members of the
dance team, flag team and band.

Ultimately, the argument boils down to whether school drug testing
actually works. Does testing for drugs deter students from future drug
use? Not only do most studies indicate yes, but also more importantly,
if you ask the people on the front lines -- the teachers, principals
and parents -- the answer is absolutely yes.

An Oregon University study -- the only study conducted specifically to
assess the deterrent effect of random drug testing among high school
athletes -- concluded such testing "appears to have significantly
reduced recent drug use among adolescent athletes."

The U.S. Department of Education evaluated drug testing programs in
schools throughout the country and reported not only a decline in drug
use among the students tested, but also that "overall, the
participating schools report a variety of positive outcomes from the
student drug-testing program." These positive outcomes include
noticeable declines in fighting, detentions for disruptive behavior,
student arrests and discipline referrals.

Numbers Are Revealing

On the other hand, after an Indiana appellate court struck down that
state's school drug testing policy, Ball State University (Indiana)
studied the effects on student drug use. The result was that 85
percent of high schools reported an increase in either student drug or
alcohol use after the testing stopped, and 80 percent reported an
increase in illicit drug use. A strong majority of the principals ---
89 percent -- said drug testing limited the effects of student peer
pressure to use drugs.

So, what were the Jefferson Parish results? Given that 30 percent of
all 10th-graders (approximately 15-16 years old) have smoked marijuana
at some point, 20 percent smoked marijuana in the past 30 days and 13
percent admit to having used other illicit drugs at some point
(according to a recent study funded by the Louisiana Department of
Health and Hospitals), Jefferson Parish Public School System
conservatively predicted that 10 percent of the students tested would
show positive. School administrators were pleasantly surprised that
the number came in at a mere 2 percent.

School officials attribute this low number to the deterrent effect of
the drug-testing program. Administrators believe that students knew
they were going to be tested and therefore did not use drugs. For the
ones who tested positive, assessment and treatment options were made
available at no cost to the student, but were required for continued
participation in extracurricular activities.

Thus, the drug-testing program served its twofold purpose: a deterrent
effect and identification of drug users for treatment.

Expansion Planned

School officials are so pleased with the program and its results that
we are expanding it for next year. For 2003-2004, the Jefferson Parish
school system will drug-test students engaged in any extracurricular
activity. Further, we are working to develop a number of incentives
(discounts at local movie theaters, fast-food restaurants and similar
adolescent-friendly venues) to encourage other students to be tested
voluntarily. Currently, this is the broadest range of testing that can
be done legally.

Is the drug-testing system perfect? Of course not. But let's not throw
the baby out with the bath water. Yes, students can use tricks to keep
from testing positive in some very limited instances. And, yes,
testing a population of students in which drug use is lower than
average is not ideal. But it's a start. And drug testing role-model
students sends a clear message to the rest of the student body:
Staying drug-free is a good thing. So far, it's working for us.