WHAT TO DO WHEN 'RANDOM' DRUG TESTS AREN'T

Q: Our school gives students random drug tests. However, the school
tells the students one week in advance and even 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 concerned high school
parents, what would be the best way to get this changed?

Our high school does the very same thing. This makes no sense to the
parents whatsoever. When we ask about it, school officials tell us it
is the fair thing to do in a public school system. "Fair for whom?"
is what we are wondering. 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. in
Hewitt, Texas

From Jodie: This is one of the hottest debates taking place today in homes
with teens and schools everywhere. On one side, you have 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 kids cannot get out of their system
in a four-or five-day period and that school personnel should be able to
spot kids who are taking drugs without wasting school funds. Still others
say the whole thing is a pure and simple violation of one's privacy.
Another group says the most popular tests cover the use of five different
drugs, which the school must identify to the students/parents. This may be
happening in your school, presenting a perfect opportunity for students to
use different ones that will not be on the tests. If the testing dates are
being announced, you will have to take it up with the school board, file a
legal grievance by their guidelines and follow procedures from there. It
might be a long, drawn-out battle, but if you are in favor of the testing,
just not the announcements, it might be worth it.

We went through a similar situation in our 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. -- P.B. in Fort Wayne, Ind.

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