DRUG TESTING IN SCHOOLS

Auburn Parents Voice Their Concerns

A few Auburn school board members as well as a handful of concerned
parents voiced their opinion at a public forum Thursday about a
possible voluntary drug testing for Auburn students in grades six
through 12. In spring 2003, data was reported from a survey conducted
using sixth-through 12th-grade students, which showed 202 students
reported smoking marijuana or using other drugs.

In spring 2003, Auburn, Opelika and Lee County schools received a
grant for $750,000 which will be split between the three school
systems and divided into three years for possible voluntary drug
testing. Auburn schools superintendent Terry Jenkins said he has
received a significant number of e-mails, phone calls and face-to-face
conversations from parents and students concerned about the drug
testing issue. "I have heard very strong feelings on both sides of the
issue," he said. It is not legal to require drug testing for all
students, Jenkins said, adding that, if approved by school board
members, parents could have the option of volunteering their children
to be tested.

In the original draft, school board members considered testing anyone
involved in athletics or extracurricular activities, as well as
students who parked on campus.

Now, if parents allow their child to be tested for drugs, the student
would be selected randomly, Jenkins said. If drugs are found in the
student's system, he added, counseling would be required for them and
their parents would be notified.

"We aren't trying to incarcerate children or get them involved with
the law," Jenkins said.

He said he wants to give students an opportunity to say no to drugs,
and if drug testing gives them the reason to say no, then the system
has worked. "Different families look at this with different
perspectives," Jenkins said. About 20 parents attended the forum and
had split opinions. "I don't see a clear educational purpose to be
served by a drug testing policy," said David Laband, a parent who is
opposed to drug testing in schools. If there are drug or alcohol
related problems on the school's premises, Laband said it makes sense
to stop the problem on campus, such as having dogs at the school to
sniff out any possible drugs.

Jenkins said school board members are considering purchasing a drug
dog to catch any drugs on campus.

"I agree with Dr. Jenkins by attacking these issues, but what we have
here are some parents who want help with raising their children,"
Laband said. Parents have recently addressed Jenkins, saying they
don't want to drug test their child themselves because it could risk
good communication with their child at home, Jenkins said.

"Our schools have better things to do for parents who aren't prepared
to be parents," Laband said. "Schools should provide an education."
Jean Spicer, a parent who supports drug testing in schools, said the
students' futures are too important to waste their lives by doing
drugs. Although she doesn't think her child does drugs, she said it is
important for her child to know he is not the only student being
tested. "It sends a clear message to the students that we're serious,"
she said. "I want (my child) to know I do care and I am watching. I
want my son to be in the pool with everyone else."

Jenkins said he is amazed by how young the students are who do drugs.
There are many options for students nowadays, he said, adding that
peer pressure is also a factor among students.

"Whether the (drug testing policy) will work or not, I can't say," he
said. "We have to make some steps to give students an opportunity to
say no to drugs."