TESTING 1, 2, 3

Secaucus School System Plans Random Drug Tests

Random drug testing of Secaucus students who participate in athletics and
other extracurricular activities will begin next school year, according to
Board of Education officials. The new policy, which will take effect in
September, will apply to students from grades 7 through 12. Students who
hold school-parking permits will also be subject to random drug tests.

The decision of the Board of Education to institute this policy brings
Secaucus in line with a state law enacted in August 2005 during the
administration of former Governor Richard Codey and sponsored by State
Senator Nicholas Sacco (D - 32nd), whose district includes Secaucus. The
law at first was designed to permit schools to adopt a drug testing policy
to give random drug tests to student athletes, particularly those who would
be participating in games on the championship level in their respective
sports. However, before its final adoption, the language of the law was
broadened to include other extracurricular activities and holders of
parking permits.

Secaucus assistant superintendent of schools Ralph Merlo agrees with this
wider definition of the law. "We feel that the previous standards were more
punitive rather than preventative," he said. "A child may have been on
drugs all season long, yet nothing was done to diagnose the problem and
help the child along the way back to health. That's why we felt that the
way we are going to pursue it is a much better way of doing it."

Testing 1, 2, 3 Secaucus school system plans random drug tests

By Mark J. Bonamo 07/02/2006 email this storyEmail to a friendpost a
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DRUG TESTING TO BEGIN - All Secaucus students grades 7-12 will be subject
to random drug tests starting this fall. Random drug testing of Secaucus
students who participate in athletics and other extracurricular activities
will begin next school year, according to Board of Education officials. The
new policy, which will take effect in September, will apply to students
from grades 7 through 12. Students who hold school-parking permits will
also be subject to random drug tests.

The decision of the Board of Education to institute this policy brings
Secaucus in line with a state law enacted in August 2005 during the
administration of former Governor Richard Codey and sponsored by State
Senator Nicholas Sacco (D - 32nd), whose district includes Secaucus. The
law at first was designed to permit schools to adopt a drug testing policy
to give random drug tests to student athletes, particularly those who would
be participating in games on the championship level in their respective
sports. However, before its final adoption, the language of the law was
broadened to include other extracurricular activities and holders of
parking permits.

Secaucus assistant superintendent of schools Ralph Merlo agrees with this
wider definition of the law. "We feel that the previous standards were more
punitive rather than preventative," he said. "A child may have been on
drugs all season long, yet nothing was done to diagnose the problem and
help the child along the way back to health. That's why we felt that the
way we are going to pursue it is a much better way of doing it."

Testing controversial

The question of whether random drug testing actually leads to curtailed
youth drug abuse is one that has been hotly debated around the country. A
2003 University of Michigan research study concluded that school drug
testing did not significantly deter drug use, a finding that led the
California State PTA Convention in the same year to reject suspension and
expulsion responses to student drug use and instead advocate programs that
include prevention, treatment, and education.

Merlo maintained that the testing program that will be instituted in
Secaucus schools is inherently fair.

"The tests will account for just about every student in the school," he
said. "Our student body, which numbers about 300 in grades 7 and 8 and
approximately 575 in the high school, is very active in extracurricular
activities. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of students will be given a
urinalysis or breathalyzer test for steroids, illegal substances and
alcohol. The students will be selected for testing according to a computer
number generated by the company that handles our student records. Parents
have the option to volunteer their kids for testing even if they are not
involved in after school activities." Secaucus school Superintendent
Constantino Scerbo has previously estimated that the district will spend
around $10,000 a year of the drug testing program. Most of the money for
the tests will be provided by federal grants.

Looking around at similar random drug testing programs around the state,
Merlo was confident that Secaucus' program would be able to hold up against
any legal challenge.

"The Hunterndon County central school district has a very similar policy in
effect," he said. "Appeals by parents and other organizations failed. Our
policy is in line with the law."

Punishment or prevention?

The state law declares that those who test positive for drug use or refuse
to consent to testing will be suspended or prohibited from participating in
extracurricular activities. Those with parking permits will have them revoked.

Students who test positive will also be referred to counseling and
treatment programs.

As for Secaucus, the policy options after a student tests positive are not
yet firmly in place.

"Suspension could be an option, but I couldn't get into the details at this
point," Merlo said. "The board should have the regulations in place well
before the start of school. However, the board has already approved the
policy and is otherwise ready to implement it."

Merlo emphasized that the purpose of the new random drug testing program is
not meant to be draconian in nature.

"We want to provide a positive service for our students," he said. "For any
student that may need help concerning drugs, we hope that this will be
helpful. We don't want to hurt any students. We want to help them."