PORTER TOWNSHIP PARENTS IN FAVOR OF DRUG TESTING

Forum Participants Want Middle, High Schoolers Tested

PORTER TOWNSHIP | The two dozen people who attended the public forum
on drug testing at Porter Township Schools were overwhelmingly in
favor of the measure for middle and high school students, but had
questions about the details of doing so.

"We're in our infancy in this whole process," Superintendent Nick
Brown said at the beginning of the 90-minute meeting. "What do you
think? Is this something we should pursue?"

The answer was a resounding 'yes' on testing from grades six to 12
and on testing all students, not just those in athletics and
extracurricular activities.

In fact, there was no one at the forum that openly opposed drug
testing completely.

Instead, the small group discussion that began the evening revolved
around the details -- such as the frequency of testing and the punishments.

Most of the participants thought there should be a testing limit,
such as three times per year per student. The costly nature of
testing was also brought up because the more a school tests, the more it costs.

Other small groups were concerned about the consequences of testing
positive. John Rado, the father of a seventh-grader, opposed an
automatic expulsion or suspension for a first-time offender.

But he felt differently about multiple infractions.

"It's usually three strikes and you're out," Rado said. "I say for
this, it should be two."

Other participants discussed the testing of athletes during the
season, such as how many games would an offender miss and how would
that kind of punishment translate into other activities.

Brown emphasized that there would be consequences, but that the
punitive aspect wasn't the focus.

Rick Iwinski, a father of two Porter Township students, echoed his sentiments.

"I think we all agree the ultimate goal of this is to help the child," he said.

Bob Taylor, coordinator of the Porter County Drug Task Force, sat
largely unnoticed and listened quietly to the discussion taking
place. At the end, when his presence was made known, he thanked the
participants.

"I'm impressed with what you've done here tonight," he said. "I
commend you all."