STUDENT DRUG TESTING MAY BECOME REALITY

Random student drug testing could become a reality at Willcox middle
and high schools by fall.

The Willcox School Board approved forming a committee of community
members to solicit public opinion to see if there is need for a
school drug-testing policy,

If so, they will also recommend a draft student drug-testing policy
for the district.

Following two town hall meetings and evidence of need, a policy would
be drafted and presented to the board in June or July for approval,
amendments or rejection.

"Illegal use of drugs is an increasing problem in our society. In my
opinion, the district needs to send a strong message. We want to give
kids a way not to do (meth/illegal drugs). If we can keep just one
kid from trying (meth), it's worth doing," said Superintendent Dr.
Don Roberts.

Roberts said that the district can verify a large amount of
drug/alcohol abuse, and therefore can justify the random drug testing.

"We owe it to our community, parents and students. This gives kids a
chance to say no to peer pressure. They can just say they don't want
to get caught," he said.

Any seventh-through 12th-grade student participating in
extra-curricular activities, including sports, fine arts, or others
such as FFA and FBLA, would be subject to random testing.

To decrease costs, random testing instead of blanket testing could be
used, Roberts said.

"We'll be reaching a large percentage of our population, as no one
knows who will be tested and who won't," he said.

Options for testing include urine or saliva tests, Saliva tests are
less invasive and also test for alcohol, he said, while urine tests
can detect drugs that have been in the system longer.

In most policies, a positive test result would require that student
to be removed from the extra-curricular activity for a specified
amount of time or until negative results are obtained, he said. The
board could determine the consequences, but the student may not be
penalized academically, suspended or expelled.

Board President Jan Kortsen said if a policy is implemented, "we must
also be able to give students testing positive a way to obtain help,
whether medical or counseling."

Dr. Dawn Walker, chief of medical staff at Northern Cochise Community
Hospital and member of the meth task force in Willcox and the
Partnership for a Drug Free America, said there are some
counseling/rehabilitation options available for youth in the area,
but getting that "treatment is difficult in Arizona, which is a
state issue, not a Willcox issue." But, she said, medical attention
is always available if needed.

Sally White, director of Willcox Against Substance Abuse, said, "If
the committee approaches the community for feedback, it is likely
they'll be behind us. Right up until the star player of a team
doesn't pass before the big game. But I think we have the most
comprehensive (drug awareness) education program in Arizona, and this
is a logical next step."

Roberts said confidentiality is imperative, and only one person
(other than the tested child) will know the test results.

However, he said that, while there is confidentiality, "the kids may
know because that player is not there and kids talk."

White said "meth isn't going to be the big one (you find in testing).
Pot is the one that will blow your mind" (because of how many use
it).

Police Chief Jake Weaver said meth use has decreased this year
compared to last year, and emergency room visits, arrest rates and
parents testing or talking about their children using it have declined.

Walker said a "very low percentage (of use here) is meth. But (for
each person using it), it's very devastating. That's why there's such
a big campaign to stop it."

Roberts said that if a policy is approved, they'd like to start it in
the fall so that students could have the summer to "get clean if they
are using before being tested."

The committee will consist of Superintendent Dr. Don Roberts; School
Board member Mike Moss; high school Principal Joel Todd; middle
school Principal Doris Jones; Willcox Police Chief Jake Weaver; WASA
Director Sally White; and still to be determined: one member of the
Willcox meth task force; a representative from the 7th-12th athletic
department; a representative from non-athletic extra-curricular
activities; a middle school student; a high school student; a middle
school parent; and high school parent; and a school district legal
representative.