PARENTS SAY DRUG TEST WARNINGS SENSELESS

The school gives students random drug tests but tells the students a
week in advance and provides them with the testing date. This is
proving to be futile as many of the drugs are out of the body's system
within a week. As a group of concerned high school parents, what would
be the best way to get this changed? Can you help?

I was doing my 13-year-old daughter's laundry and found a note in her
back pocket from a friend. I know at this age, hormones are kicking
in. But should I contact the other parent and let her know what is
being said? This is my daughter's best friend since third grade, so I
know her mother well. When I confront my daughter about certain
issues, she is quiet and refuses to talk to me. I am not sure what to
do.

I was shocked to find out the ninth-grade volleyball coach gave out
condoms during an after-school practice; the team is all girls. Is
this something that is perceived as normal behavior from coaches? My
daughter thinks it's perfectly OK, which leads me to my next question:
can she also be on birth control without me knowing it?

Please share your tips and help other parents. Send them or parenting
questions to Parent to Parent, 2464 Taylor Road, Suite 131, Wildwood,
MO 63040. Send e-mail to editor@parenttoparent.com or through the
ParentToParent.com Web site. The high school my children attend does
the same thing. The students are told which day the random testing
will be done, one week in advance. This makes no sense to the parents
whatsoever. It gives the students who are using drugs an opportunity
to get them out of their systems before testing.

When we ask about it, school officials tell us it is the fair thing to
do in a public school system. We are all wondering to whom it is fair.
Our proposal to have this rule changed is still probably sitting on
the superintendent's desk, while we are left in the dark and have yet
to receive one phone call.

S.T., Hewitt, Texas We parents went through a similar situation with
the local high school. However, the students found out from others who
work in the office and not from an announcement.

While the school personnel say they do not release dates to anyone, it
still goes on. This is a public school, apparently, where ghosts roam
around and talk, as in, "Mr. Nobody" did it.

P.B., Fort Wayne, Ind. JODIE: This is one of the hottest debates in
homes with teens and in schools. On one side, you have an impressive
group of experts who vouch for random drug testing and say it prevents
and discourages students from using drugs. On the other side, you have
just as many knowledgeable experts who say that there are few drugs
that teens cannot get out of their system in a four-or five-day
period and that the school personnel should be able to spot teens who
are taking drugs without wasting school funds.

Still others say that the whole thing is a violation of one's privacy.
And another group says that the most popular tests cover the use of
five drugs, which the school must identify to the students/parents.
This may be one of the things that is happening in your school,
presenting a perfect opportunity for students to use different ones
that will not be on the tests. However, if the testing dates are being
announced, you will have to take it up with the school board, file a
legal grievance by the district's guidelines and follow procedures
from there. It might be a long, drawn-out battle, but if you are in
favor of the testing and not the announcements, then it might be worth
it.

Jodie Lynn's latest book is "Syndication Secrets -- What No One Will
Tell You!"