TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'

Sapulpa Public Schools Implements Drug Testing For Students Involved
In Extracurricular Activities

Sapulpa high school and junior high students returning to school
this fall hoping to participate in any competitive extra-curricular
activities will now be subject to random drug testing in order to participate.

The drug testing policy was approved at a July school board meeting,
and includes students participating in sports, choir, band, FFA and
any other organization that participates in interscholastic competition.

The policy passed with three of four votes by the school board, and
was written in accordance with similar school policies that have
withstood the Supreme Court and states that any student in a
competitive activity is eligible for random testing.

"We feel that having this test will give students a reason to say no
to drugs," said Associate Superintendent Dr. Mary Webb at the July
board meeting.

While some concerns were brought up at the meeting about the need to
test for drugs in competitive activities outside of sports,
superintendent Dr. Joe Crowder stated that, "a big push for this
testing program came come from parents with students in band and FFA."

Sapulpa Athletic Director Tom Ballenger said drug testing is a hot
topic right now and has been implemented at many schools in the area.

"Every school in our area has some form of drug testing," he said.
"It's a major safety issue for the kids and the school. I think it
can help to ensure students have a chance of staying drug-free. It
gives an athlete the opportunity to resist peer pressure."

If an athlete fails a drug test for the first time, the punishment
is more helpful than punitive.

"It doesn't punish as much as help the student," Ballenger said.
"They won't lose their spot on the team, but they will probably face
counseling and further drug testing.

According to the drug test policy, each student will be provided
with a copy of a "Student Drug Consent Form" that is to be signed
and dated by the student, parent or custodial guardian and
coach/sponsor before the student is eligible to participate.

The consent form gives the school permission to collect a urine
sample and/or hair follicle when selected by a random outside source.

The policy goes on to state that, "The principal shall designate a
school employee of the same sex as the student to accompany the
student to a restroom or other private facility behind a closed stall.

"The monitor shall not observe the student while the specimen is
being produced, but the monitor shall be present outside the stall
to listen for the normal sounds of urination in order to guard
against tampered specimens and to insure an accurate chain of custody."

All testing will be done with confidentiality, and if the principal
is notified by the testing lab of a positive test, they will only
notify the student, head coach/sponsor and the parent or guardian.

Consequences for positive tests will be dealt with on a three strikes basis.

For the first offense, the parent or guardian will be notified
immediately and a private conference will be scheduled with the
parent, student, sponsor or coach and the principal.

The policy goes on to say that "In order to continue participation
in the activity the student and parent must show proof that the
student received drug counseling within five days of the meeting and
submit to a second drug test within two weeks. The cost of
the second test will be absorbed by the student and their parent."

If a student is tested at a later date and once again tests
positive, this is considered a second offense.

According to the policy, a second offense requires "suspension from
participation in all activities covered under this policy for a
minimum of two competitive activities and no more than 20 percent of
the activity in 14 calendar days."

The student must also successfully complete four meetings of
substance abuse education and counseling provided by the school.

The student is also not allowed to participate in any meetings,
practices, scrimmages or competitions during this period and will be
subjected to up to three additional drug tests on a monthly basis
until they pass the test.

A third offense will result in complete suspension
from participation in all extra-curricular activities including all
meetings, practices, performances and competition for the remainder
of the school year, or sixty school days, whichever is longer.

Students are accountable for each subsequent offense for the
remainder of their school career, which means any offense from the
eighth to 12th grade is considered.

Students who refuse to submit to a drug test authorized by the
policy will be made ineligible to participate in any activities
covered under the policy, including all meetings, practices,
performances and competitions for the remainder of the school year.

Of course, this new policy is not meant to replace the general drug
policy already used in the district, and any student found to be in
possession of drugs on school property will still face suspension.

This drug testing policy was written in accordance with a drug
testing policy in Tecumseh, which was challenged in the Supreme
Court and found to be constitutional.

And while some parents and students may feel that the policy is an
invasion of privacy, the administration feels that it is needed to
ensure the safety of students and an incentive to remain drug free.

Students more than likely will be asked to sign a drug-testing
consent form this week and will be subject to testing immediately.

All testing and the selection of the students tested are done
outside the district by computer. It is difficult to tell then how
many times, if any, a student will be selected for testing, but they
should be made aware that it could happen at any time through the
school year, not just during a particular season.