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KINNELON - Random student drug test policy adopted
(by Deborah Walsh - Staff Writer - November 14, 2008)
KINNELON - Almost two years and several revisions later, the school board adopted a voluntary student random alcohol and drug testing policy.
Though the policy is called voluntary, some questioned the voluntary nature of the testing program at the Nov. 12 hearing, because the program is mandatory for the majority of the student body. Students who participate in athletics and other school extra-curricular activities and drive to school are subject to the random testing policy.
Under state law, students who do not participate in these activities cannot be forced to submit to testing because state law requires that all students ages 6 through 16 receive an education. Under the terms of the policy, students who do not participate in sports, extracurricular activities or have driving privileges can voluntarily sign up for the drug-testing program.
Approximately 25 students and 10 parents attended the Nov. 12 hearing. Most spoke out against the policy, but some have said in the past that a number of parents who support the program are reluctant to publicly speak in favor of the policy. Board members Margaret Zybrick and William Hickey voted against the policy, which will become effective in January. The details of the program will be spelled out to students in gym class, and informational sessions will be scheduled for parents.
As adopted, the policy calls for metabolite testing of alcohol, which requires submission of a urine sample. Previously, the board discussed an alcohol test that would require a saliva sample. The metabolite test can detect alcohol for a longer period of time. The test is known as the "Friday Night" test because when a student is tested on Monday it can identify the byproducts of alcohol consumed the previous Friday night. In addition to alcohol, the screening program will detect the use of THC (marijuana), cocaine, Ecstasy, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine, and opiates.
Parking privileges could be curbed
Although this policy does not call for students being suspended from school, sports or extracurricular activities after the first positive confirmed test result, it does call for the revocation of parking privileges at the school for 20 days. The procedure calls for intervention (counseling) and requires medical clearance to participate in school and school activities. If a positive test result is confirmed, then the student becomes part of the district’s suspicion testing program. If a student refuses to submit to a test, the refusal equates to a positive test result.
In answering students' questions regarding the impact a positive test result would have on their ability to participate in sports, Superintendent of Schools James Opiekun, said the board revised the policy to make it possible to expedite the process. With the updated policy, it is possible that students who test positive will not miss any sports practices or games. The policy requires that students receive medical clearance before being allowed to participate in sports and meet with Priscilla Adams, the district’s substance abuse counselor. A prior version of the policy required the student to be assessed by an outside counselor before participating in sports rather than meeting with district’s counselor.
What students have to say
When Kinnelon High School (KHS) senior Kolben Pritchard noted that it is not always possible to get an immediate appointment with a doctor, Opiekun said the district had medical resources available to speed up the process.
KHS senior Steven Silvestri raised concerns about false positive test results being triggered by the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizing solutions. Silvestri said students could be in for "quite a ride" after a false positive reading, which would result in the student requiring medical clearance and seeing a halt to parking privileges.
Opiekun said, however, that the likelihood that a student will test positive after using a hand solution is minimal because the lab the district will use has adjusted the detection threshold to eliminate false positives. The test screens for ethyl glucuronide of EtG, a substance the body produces after it metabolizes alcohol. To eliminate false positives, the testing lab has moved the threshold from 100 to 500 nanograms.
KHS senior Chase Dutton said the policy is contradictory, as it is titled Voluntary Student Random Alcohol and Drug-Testing Policy yet in the fourth paragraph of the policy, it outlines mandatory participation for those in sports or extracurricular activities as well as those desiring parking privileges.
"If it’s going to be voluntary, it should be voluntary. If it’s mandatory it should be titled mandatory," said Dutton.
Dutton said some students might shy away from sports and extracurricular activities to avoid being tested and questioned whether the district wanted these students to end their involvement in positive activities that will boost their chance of being admitted to colleges.
Peggie Byrne, a parent who has repeatedly voiced opposition to the policy, said the board has not produced any statistical data to prove the efficacy of drug testing in reducing drug use among high school students. Byrne said the board was pushing ahead with a policy that has elicited broad-based opposition from the community.
"You are requiring students to give up their civil rights without any data to support the program. You are usurping parents’ responsibility," she said.
Acknowledging that there was not a lot of support for the policy in the audience, parent Annmarie Scorzo said she feels there are parents who support the policy, but do not come out publicly to voice their support. Scorzo noted that athletes and top students receive many awards and accolades. She suggested that students be honored for making good choices.
If it helps one child…
Board President Richard Beeferman said not all statistics can be measured, but if the policy helps one child to reject drug use, the policy is worthwhile. Beeferman said he grew up in a city where kids in sixth and seventh grade smoked pot. He said he saw the policy as a tool for students to say no to drug and alcohol use. Beeferman also said the testing program could be used as a diagnostic tool to determine when a child has an alcohol or drug abuse problem.
Board Member Deborah New acknowledged that it might be difficult to find data that quantifies if drug testing deters students from using drugs. Conversely, there is no data that proves that drug testing is not a deterrent, she said.
"I have listened to people talking about the unintended results, but I am more concerned about the damage that could be done if we turn our heads and look away," said New. "Many think this comes under the purview of parents, but I think parents need help. I think there are diligent parents out there that have kids who succumb to the extreme pressure."
Zybrick, who has expressed concerns that the drug policy could result in students being excluded from awards and positions like team captain or National Honor Society member, indicated that she has agonized over the policy. She suggested the emphasis on prevention be enhanced.
Zybrick urged students to do the right thing and prove to everyone that a policy is not necessary.
Hickey said the town was divided on the issue. He said he could support a random testing policy if it was truly voluntary. Hickey said he does not think a drug problem exists to the degree that it disrupts the educational process. If a student is disruptive because of drug or alcohol use, that student can be helped through the existing suspicion drug testing policy, he said.
Board Member Keith Dama said he did not view the policy as punitive but as a tool to keep students safe. Dama said the policy is not meant to overstep parents’ responsibilities but is a vehicle to establish a partnership between parents and the school district for the safety and well being of the children.
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