RANDOM DRUG TESTING IN STUDENTS' BEST INTERESTS

The North Schuylkill Spartan Task Force was formed in December of
2006 as a proactive group working toward making our educational
community a safer environment.

This committee is comprised of administrators, staff, community
agencies, emergency personnel, law enforcement, parents and students
from not only the North Schuylkill School District, but other areas
of Schuylkill County who share our concerns. The group was
implemented because we, as professionals, felt we could make a
positive difference and create a safer atmosphere at our school.

Initially, the Spartan Task Force formed three primary committees,
Outreach to Students, Outreach to Parents and Safe Haven. Suggestions
from each of these committees generated programs that serve to
educate on various issues such as, but not limited to, bullying,
violence, harassment, probation, nonviolent conflict resolution,
diversity and drugs/alcohol. All of the programs contribute to
providing that safer environment for our school community.

Cadets from Northwest Academy talked with our students, Schuylkill
County Juvenile Probation provided student programs, Good Samaritan
presented an inhalants display at lunches, State Correctional
Institute shared information of better choice making, Schuylkill
County Drug and Alcohol consistently presents information to students
and adults, the Philadelphia Police presented the Heads Up Program to
students and parents and informational postcards were mailed to
parents of every student in grades 6-12.

The Spartan Task Force also set up an anonymous reporting system that
allows students the opportunity to share at-risk information with
staff. The Safe and Drug Free Schools Consortium has been
instrumental in providing funds to support these programs.
Additionally, the North Schuylkill school board has shown dedication
toward its students by adopting policy consistent with the Spartan
Task Force's efforts to educate our Spartan community.

In response to various situations that transpired last year within
the school setting, the Task Force decided to research the idea of
Random Drug Testing in the school setting. After much review of
existing programs, it was clear that this would not be a "fix" for
all of the drug-related issues that arise, but that it may deter drug
use within the school community. If one student decides not to do
drugs because he/she wants to play basketball, participate in band or
drive to school, then we have accomplished something positive. If
that one student who decides to clean up or stay away from drugs
altogether is your child, then we really have accomplished something great.

These students who are being tested today at North Schuylkill may one
day be tested for drugs if he or she wants to participate in sports
at the collegiate level or as mandated by an employer.

Drugs are illegal and we will continue to attempt to keep them out of
our school. If someone does test positive, the procedure includes an
avenue for rehabilitation. Certainly, there are some students who
will not be tested due to the present interpretation of the law, so
the school's hands are tied. We cannot just ignore the chance to save
some of the students who participate in extracurricular activities
simply because we cannot test everyone. Drugs do not show partiality;
they infiltrate every faction of society. We will continue to reach
every student possible with hopes that again, we can change at least
one student's life.

The North Schuylkill school board and our administration have only
proven how much they care about our students by forging ahead with
this drug testing. The brave decision that our leaders at North
Schuylkill put into policy is only in the best interest of the
students. One can never determine what the end result will be of a
student on drugs; that student may harm herself, himself or others.
Taking drugs without a physician's advice never has a positive outcome.

Before this policy on drug testing was implemented, the information
was presented to interested parents at a public meeting. Because of
parental concern on issues, several changes in the policy regarding
procedure were then implemented based on these discussions. The North
Schuylkill school board should be commended for taking the
suggestions made by parents as instrumental and making appropriate
changes without jeopardizing the procedure.

The Random Drug Testing program that is now in place at North
Schuylkill Jr.-Sr. High School has been just one of the many
initiatives that have commenced since the formation of this task
force. The Task Force continues to provide programs within the school
day that may change the minds of students who are thinking about
experimenting with drugs or students who might want to make healthier
choices. The parental programs being sponsored by the Task Force will
hopefully provide valuable information.

The Spartan Task Force will continue to provide educational
opportunities and maintain a vested interest in our entire North
Schuylkill community. It is only because of our ongoing concern for
every student at North Schuylkill that we, the Spartan Task Force,
anticipate maintaining a positive presence.