LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT DRUG POLICY HAS SUPPORT OF PARENTS

A Long Beach father recently took a stand against his son's local
school district because, he says, the drug testing policy is too strict.

John Lindorfer sent letters to several newspapers and television
stations across Mississippi and developed a website explaining his
reasons against the Long Beach School District's policy.

His son Aaron is a senior at Long Beach High School. Lindorfer said
that Aaron was required by the district to submit to drug testing
because he wanted to participate in extracurricular activities. He
wouldn't let Aaron comply, based on his Fourth Amendment rights, and
now Aaron can't be in the band, color guard, or Thesbian troop.

Lindorfer claims that the drug testing goes against several civil
rights and also costs the district parents too much money.

No problem with Laurel district's drug policy

Laurel School District officials say no parents have refused to let
their children be tested for drug and alcohol use since the program
started in 1998. In fact, they say some parents want more students to
be tested.

The district has recently expanded its coverage from athletes to
include several other groups of students.

There's a mandatory alcohol and drug testing policy for certain people
at Laurel High School and Jones Middle School. Those tested include
athletes, band members, Golden Girls, cheerleaders, competitive club
members, and any student who drives to school. The policy defines
drugs as controlled substances in line with the Uniform Controlled
Substances Law of the State of Mississippi. The policy is in effect at
all times, not just during school hours.

Laurel School District Public Relations manager Laura Lyon said in a
statement that the policy is designed to keep students and others safe.

"The Laurel School District adopted this policy to ensure that a safe
environment, conducive to learning, was maintained in our schools; to
provide for the health and safety of all student participants; to
undermine the effects of peer pressure by providing a legitimate
reason for student participants to refuse to use illegal drugs and
alcohol, and, to encourage student participants who use drugs or
alcohol to participate in a treatment program," Lyons wrote.

Lyons said in the statement that more than 1,250 students have been
tested for drugs and alcohol. Out of that number, only a few tested
positive.

The district starts the year with a student-parent-official meeting
and then accepts consent forms from every student who wants to
participate in extracurricular activities. Then, the district randomly
tests students every month.

"The refusal to be tested is treated as a positive test result," Lyon
wrote.

There are several other ways that students can violate the policy.
These include police reports, using the products in front of a school
official, student confession, failing a breath test, or possession.

Tough enough?

But, even though the rules are very specific and made public to
parents and students, some would say the penalties aren't strict
enough. That's because the school district allows students a chance to
"become clean."

The first violation will keep the student from driving to school or
participating in an activity for 20 days. The district Drug Education
Coordinator will also provide mandatory counseling. Finally, the
student will have to have a negative drug or alcohol test after the 20
day period.

The second violation is more severe. With the second occurrence,
parents or guardians are made aware of the problem. Students will also
be forbidden from any extracurricular activity with the school or from
driving on campus for an entire calendar year. The student is then
referred to an outside drug-counseling agency and documentation is
required. Finally, students will have to clear a drug test before
being reinstated in activities. Any student who gets a third violation
during three years won't be able to participate in extracurricular
activities or drive to school for their entire school career.