LYON STUDENTS PRESS FOR SCHOOL DRUG TESTING

Members of a Lyon County teen committee are leading the push to
implement a random student drug testing policy in the county's school
system.

The "Engaging Youth Serving Communities" Committee (EYSC) made their
presentation at a lunch meeting of the Lyon County Chamber of Commerce
Thursday.

The group of approximately 15 Lyon County High School students is
sponsored by Lyon County Champions for a Drug-Free Kentucky and Lyon
County 4-H.

"We think that as a group of individuals we can accomplish a lot more
than just one individual could," said member Julie Robertson.

Audience members were presented with a series of statistics from a
2006 Kentucky Incentive Program (KIP) student self-survey, funded by
the Kentucky Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, regarding
tobacco, alcohol and drug use among students at 12, 14, 16 and 18
years of age.

The county has a higher percentage of students who stated they used
inhalants or prescription medication with no prescription on at least
one occasion in the past 30 days than regional, state and national
averages in three of the four age groups, according to the data
presented Thursday.

County numbers exceeded regional, state and national averages in two
age groups of students who said they had had alcoholic beverages at
least once in the past 30 days, as well as those who said they had
used marijuana at least once in the past 30 days and those who said
they had taken over-the-counter drugs to get high at least once.

"It just shows you how bad of a problem this has gotten in Lyon
County," said Lindsey Bridges.

She also noted that five middle school students had overdosed on
prescription drugs at school in the past two years.

"If that many children can overdose at school, then what are they
doing at home?" she asked. "That's really scary to me."

In those same two years, two high school students were charged with
prescription drug sales at school, 10 students were involved in
juvenile justice proceedings because of substance abuse, and seven
students violated Kentucky Safe School policies due to substance
abuse, she said.

"We know and we believe these statistics, because we're here," added
Auburn Sutton.

"We just want random student drug testing for our friends, not to get
them in trouble . we don't want them to be one of these statistics.

"These are real people, and they're real kids that we're around every
day."

The drive toward random testing is not the first effort made in the
fight against youth drug abuse.

Students cited a list of more than 20 programs aimed at prevention and
geared toward students from kindergarten through high school.

"Even with all these programs, we still have a substance abuse
problem, and that is why we want to add drug testing to our list,"
said Katie Jones.

The only students who can currently be tested, per current case law,
are athletes, students participating in extracurricular activities,
students who drive and park on school property, and those who
volunteer. Parental consent must be obtained, according to information
presented Thursday.

The testing policy should also identify which drugs will be targeted
and select a computerized random selection process, usually through a
third party.

Testing should be conducted using FDA-approved tests and certified
labs to ensure correct specimen collection, chain-of-custody issues
and review of legitimate medications causing positive results,
students said. The students said the tests must be confidential, in
accordance with school policy and the Family Education Right and
Privacy Act.

The policy should also specifically exclude law enforcement
notification of testing results. A certified medical review officer
should be used instead for all confirmed positive drug test results.

"Law enforcement cannot be involved," said Laura Brown. "An MRO is the
key interface for parents whose child has tested positive."

Consequences for a positive test would include counseling, treatment
and/or loss of privileges.

A process should be implemented for appeals, application of
consequences and reinstatement of privileges, and a referral process
should be in place for early intervention and treatment, with
financial aid available for low-income families, if possible.

Funding the drug testing program is estimated to cost approximately
$8,000. The money could possibly come from a combination of school
district funds or grants from Champions, the Kentucky Agency for
Substance Abuse Policy, the Department of Education. EYSC grants,
provided through the national 4-H organization, may also be available,
students said.

The student presenters also cited studies suggesting positive results
in schools with student drug testing programs in place and discussed
frequently asked questions about implementing such a procedure in the
county.

Having the policy in place could serve as a deterrent in itself,
students said.

"It can give students a way out of doing drugs," said
Bridges.

The student group is forming a committee, with school officials and
other community representatives, to develop a proposal to present to
the Lyon County Board of Education Monday, Jan. 28.

To make their point, each of the students in the EYSC group have
obtained their parents' permission to be drug tested, and each will be
tested sometime between now and that board meeting.

Wanda Paris, county Extension agent for 4-H and youth development,
praised the student committee for their efforts, which they
orchestrated on their own, she said.

"It has been my honor and privilege to get to work with this group of
young ladies," she said.

The purpose behind the EYSC grant, she said, was to help the youth
identify a community issue needing to be addressed.

"The youth chose this issue," she said. "There was no adult that had
anything to do with this decision."

Since beginning the project, the group has met early in the morning,
late in the evening, on Saturdays and Sundays, spending numerous hours
researching the issues and developing their proposal.

And they will continue, she said, regardless of the decisions made in
the local district: "Whatever the outcome of this issue, these girls
aren't going to quit."