DRUG TESTING CONCERNS

Re: drug testing in schools. After reading many of the articles in The A-J
concerning drug testing in our public schools, I have concerns that I have not
seen addressed. The only information I have about the process of drug testing
is that a urine sample is collected. Beyond that, I have no idea what happens.

I recall a few years ago reading that someone who drank spiced tea
could test positive for marijuana. Is it possible to make errors in
the collection, labeling, testing, recording and in reporting the
results of these tests? I would like to know the margin of error.

Let's say the entire procedure has an accuracy rate of 99 percent. The
approximate enrollment of the school my sons attend is 1,700.
Seventeen students could be affected. My experience with people leads
me to think that even if a student was retested and the test proved
negative, the student would still be suspect. Would the student be
allowed to attend school and participate in extracurricular activities
until retested?

What about legal issues regarding any mistakes in the procedure? The
school would have the expense of the testing and legal expenses. While
the student is suspended from school, does the school receive funds
for that student? Are teachers still held accountable fr the student's
performance on standardized tests even if the student is suspended for
weeks? Please address these questions.

Sandra Fiel,Lubbock