News (Media Awareness Project) - US TX: Boy's Suspension Over Drug Test Challenged |
| Title: | US TX: Boy's Suspension Over Drug Test Challenged |
| Published On: | 2000-02-07 |
| Source: | Orange County Register (CA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-05 04:23:59 |
BOY'S SUSPENSION OVER DRUG TESTING CHALLENGED
LOCKNEY,Texas- A father launched an appeal Friday challenging the suspension
of his 12-year-old son for refusing to take a drug test required of every
student in the school district.
The Lockney district has decided to punish sixth-grader Brady Tannahill, the
only student to refuse the test, as if he had tested positive. He faces a
21-day suspension from extra-curricular activities, at least three days'
suspension and substance abuse counseling.
Brady could also be required to take a drug test every month for a year.
Each time he refuses, it will be considered a repeat offense, and the
punishment escalates.
The school board approved the drug policy last year, which requires a signed
parental consent form allowing the drug tests. The mandatory testing of the
district's teachers and 399 students in grades 6 through 12 was completed
Thursday.
Larry Tannahill met with his son's junior high principal on Friday.
"That is basically the start-up of the appeal," Tannahill said. "That will
give Brady another 10 days in school just like nothing happened and then
we'll go to the school board."
Graham Boyd, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union's national
drug policy project, said he is unaware of any other school district in the
country that requires across-the-board testing.
Boyd said cases challenging school drug testing for students in
extracurricular activities have been filed in Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas
and in Texas.
Most residents in this town of 2,240 people support the policy,
Superintendent Raymond Lusk said.
"You either have a drug policy or you don't," Lusk said. "Drugs are not just
in the cities. They're in small town America."
The idea for a new tough anti-drug policy began in 1997, after 13 people in
Lockney were indicted on charges of distributing and using cocaine and
marijuana. Residents indicated at community meetings that they supported
drug testing of all students, not just those involved in extracurricular
activities.
Tannahill, however, said the policy tramples his parental rights and could
deny his son access to a public education.
LOCKNEY,Texas- A father launched an appeal Friday challenging the suspension
of his 12-year-old son for refusing to take a drug test required of every
student in the school district.
The Lockney district has decided to punish sixth-grader Brady Tannahill, the
only student to refuse the test, as if he had tested positive. He faces a
21-day suspension from extra-curricular activities, at least three days'
suspension and substance abuse counseling.
Brady could also be required to take a drug test every month for a year.
Each time he refuses, it will be considered a repeat offense, and the
punishment escalates.
The school board approved the drug policy last year, which requires a signed
parental consent form allowing the drug tests. The mandatory testing of the
district's teachers and 399 students in grades 6 through 12 was completed
Thursday.
Larry Tannahill met with his son's junior high principal on Friday.
"That is basically the start-up of the appeal," Tannahill said. "That will
give Brady another 10 days in school just like nothing happened and then
we'll go to the school board."
Graham Boyd, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union's national
drug policy project, said he is unaware of any other school district in the
country that requires across-the-board testing.
Boyd said cases challenging school drug testing for students in
extracurricular activities have been filed in Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas
and in Texas.
Most residents in this town of 2,240 people support the policy,
Superintendent Raymond Lusk said.
"You either have a drug policy or you don't," Lusk said. "Drugs are not just
in the cities. They're in small town America."
The idea for a new tough anti-drug policy began in 1997, after 13 people in
Lockney were indicted on charges of distributing and using cocaine and
marijuana. Residents indicated at community meetings that they supported
drug testing of all students, not just those involved in extracurricular
activities.
Tannahill, however, said the policy tramples his parental rights and could
deny his son access to a public education.
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