CONNELLSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT: BOARD FAILS TO ADOPT DRUG-TESTING POLICY

The Connellsville Area School District still does not have a student
drug-testing policy.

A motion to adopt a testing policy for all students involved in athletics,
extracurricular activities and who drive to school failed.

The draft indicated that all students in any of those categories would be
tested at the beginning of the school year or the sport season; thereafter,
the urine tests to detect alcohol and a variety of drugs would be randomly
administered to up to 20 percent of eligible students periodically or weekly.

The vote was 4 to 4, with Kenneth Nicholson abstaining.

Francis Mongell, Loretta Lint, Charles Wilson and Jeffrey Harvey approved
adoption, while Thomas Dolde, Richard Galand, David Goldblum and Kevin Lape
opposed it.

The vote followed a presentation by Alvaro Barriga, a psychology professor
at Seton Hill University, who administered a confidential drug and alcohol
survey to 350 randomly selected ninth-through 12th-graders the last school
year.

The results do indicate a problem.

Fifty percent of the students indicated that they drink, 23 percent smoke,
19 percent smoke marijuana, 16 percent use chewing tobacco and 13 percent
use hard drugs.

Despite this high usage, 74 percent reported that usage was not a problem,
while 13 percent considered it a mild problem, 6 percent a moderate
problem, 4 percent a significant problem and 3 percent a severe problem.

"Drug use impacts on a variety of mental health and behavioral problems,"
Barriga said.

He did have good news to report, however.

The 33 percent of students who indicated that they participated in sports,
reported less drug and alcohol usage than non-athletes.

"There are not more abstainers, but more mild to moderate users. Sports is
a good thing," Barriga said.

Forty-eight percent of the students participate in extracurricular
activities, such as drama and band. Fifty-two percent of them abstain from
all drugs and alcohol, they earn higher grades and have fewer discipline
problems than other groups.

"Talk about a good argument for co-curricular activities," Barriga said.

He also examined how students get to school, because student drivers will
be tested if the policy is enacted.

Most students ride the bus, 61 percent; 15 percent drive; 13 percent ride
with parents or other adults; 11 percent ride with another student.

Those who ride with their parents indicated less usage than those who take
the bus or drive themselves, while those who ride with friends reported the
most usage.

Barriga offered his treatment services. "I came first as a researcher," he
said, "but I'm more and more worried about these kids. One in 20 indicated
a severe addiction."

The Supreme Court of the United States only allows blanket drug and alcohol
testing for students involved in athletics, extracurricular activities and
students who drive themselves to school.

District solicitor Linda Cordaro said that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
is even more restrictive in drug testing.

"The district has to show a specific need. We need an explanation of how
our policy addresses the specific drug problem identified. I recommend
waiting," she said.

Dolde worried about the students affected.

"Why do we always seem to pick on the kids who do the most for the school,"
he asked.

Harvey said that building principals currently have the authority to
recommend drug testing for students who arouse suspicions of use.

Mongell said that the expanded program was not meant to punish, but to
identify, get treatment for drug users and maintain the students'
confidentiality.

Under the draft policy, the first positive test would require completing a
substance abuse evaluation by a licensed provider and submitting five
weekly urine samples. The parent would pay for these follow-up tests. The
student would continue to participate in activities or drive.

A second positive test would lead to a 14-day suspension from activities or
driving. The student would also have to complete 40 hours of substance
abuse counseling and submit 12 monthly urine samples. One positive drug
test during this time would not be considered a third offense.

A third offense within six years leads to a one-year suspension from
activities and driving and requires five weeks of urine testing. The
student would also be referred to the Student Assistance Program (SAP). A
fourth offense leads to permanent suspension from activities and driving,
referral to a licensed facility for drug assessment and SAP referral.

"The policy actually gives students a reason to say no to peer pressure,"
Mongell said.

Mongell requested that all directors who had concerns with the policy meet
with the drug and alcohol committee.

"There are over 40 school districts in western Pennsylvania that have
implemented this program," said Wilson. "I think it's crazy we didn't."

"I'm still going to get this policy passed before the new school year,"
Harvey said.

How they voted:

Yes: Francis Mongell, Loretta Lint, Charles Wilson, Jeffrey Harvey.

No: Thomas Dolde, Richard Galand, David Goldblum, Kevin Lape.

Abstain: Kenneth Nicholson