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MJ local mobileOfficial says all schools have drug problem
Edgewood students who are involved in 'non-graded' activities or buy parking permits could be tested.
Comment: Should high school students should be drug tested?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
"We have a drug problem," Edgewood Superintendent Tom York parents and community members Wednesday night. "It's real. It's not perceived. Carlisle has a drug problem. Middletown has a drug problem. Hamilton has a drug problem. Fairfield has a drug problem. Talawanda has a drug problem.
"Every school that you visit has a drug problem."
Extras
For Edgewood, having even one student using drugs and alcohol constitutes a problem, York said, and a plan to implement random drug testing for students who participate in "non-graded" activities or purchase school parking permits is just the latest in Edgewood's efforts to combat student drug and alcohol use.
Locker searches, K-9 police searches, Breathalyzer testing at school events, educational programs at all schools and grade levels are all part of Edgewood's comprehensive alcohol and drug education program, said York.
Edgewood plans to test about 12 to 15 students a month in the program that will be funded by the Safe and Drug-Free Schools federal grant, which has been in existence for about two decades, said York. The testing would only apply to Edgewood High School students and middle school students who participate in an extracurricular activity such as marching band.
Students and parents will be required to sign a consent form in order for students to participate. The forms must be turned into the school by Oct. 1. Students who are participating in a winter or spring sport would be required to submit the consent form by the time of the first competition.
An EHS administrator would inform parents that their child was selected for the random drug screen, which will test for amphetamines, benzodiazephines, LSD, methamphetamine, phencyclidine, alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, methaqualone, propozyphene, barbiturates, ecstasy, methadone and opiates, according to the regulations. Other drugs may be added.
The pool for testing would be about 50 percent of the high school's 1,050 students, said Principal Bob Buchheim.
Prior to district notification, parents would be notified of a positive test within 7 to 10 days, said Buchheim. They would have 48 hours to appeal by scheduling another sample or providing evidence of a prescription for medication. The family would have to pay $200 for the second sample.
Offenses would not be in the student's academic records and they would not be academically punished in any manner such as a suspension, said York.
Comments
By Jerry
September 15, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Hmmm first lets test for drugs thats an item noone can argue with we are protecting children,
next lets search cars and houses randomly… If you are doing nothing wrong, you have nothing too hide,
after that a mandatory DNA registry… there is the war on terrorism to consider,
Then lets just repeal the fourth amendment…. heck lets just repudiate the entire constitution, it was written before 9-11 anyway and the world changed. We will just tell everyone how free we are
By Peter Cholakis
September 14, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Ignorance as reflected b ycomments such as Ms. McIntyre’s reflect why America has such drug problem and so many students are addicted and dying. Drug testing has NOTHING to due with Ms.McIntyre’s “right to privacy and healthcare privacy laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.”The United States Supremen Court has already ruled that drug random drug testing students IS legal and NOT and invasion of privacy. (The same is true in the workplace FYI).HIPPA doens’t apply.
By BT
September 13, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
I think that this can be the start of something good. If students would have been tested a long time ago maybe the drug epidemic would not be so rampant now. I also think with the recent accident involving the bus driver in Kentucky that it should also apply to all of the school teachers, administration and bus drivers. We need to know that the whole school is drug free! After all it is a place that we send a lot of innocent children every day.
By deana
September 13, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
We home owner parents PAY for these they’re NOT ‘priveledges’. Talk about political tax lingo!! And only a simpleton would assume being against means drug usage-we test at work too!! It’s about FREEDOM-remember those before they’re whittled away!! Laws like this are introduced w/in schools first because people will jump on the bandwagon then the law goes into society. Truancy officers don’t need a warrant to enter/search your house! Teach yourself, know, learn. Ever heard of communism?
By Jack
September 13, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
Test students no matter what the parents think, if the parents don’t like it then first off they are not good parents and second they and their child probably has something to hide. Take Note: Last year after last football game a Monroe football player lites up a joint, now i wonder what his parents did to him, spank the poor babys hand, and also he is playing football this year. My point is that this should not be just about Edgewood, even the rich wanabes in Monroe are qulity.
By EdgeAlum
September 13, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
I think the testing is an excellant idea. For those that complain about the students’ privacy and rights, if you don’t like it, you can pull them out of the extracurricular activities and have them ride the bus instead of drive. Driving to school is a priviledge, not a right. Extracurricular activities are a priviledge, not a right. No one is making the students subject themselves to testing, they have a choice.
By patti
September 13, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
apparently there has been a problem with the children participating in these activities or the drug testing wouldn’t have considered and implemented. and then again, if your child isn’t doing anything against the activities drug/alcohol policy, you, the parent, shouldn’t have a problem with your child being tested. if i were the parent i’m positive i’d want my child tested. i feel it would be an incentive for my child to be/and stay clear of the negative influence of peer pressure.
By Joe
September 13, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
By the superintendent’s logic, if one high school student drinks alcohol , or uses drugs, it is reasonable to subject nearly all students to random testing? Might he be in favor of the city of Trenton conducting random drug tests on all of its residents. Wait,no, that might smack some as unconstitutional. How about randomly test only those residents who use its services, like electricity the sewers. Let’s see this stand up in court.
By deana
September 13, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
My child’s a youth leader, yet if at any point I thought she began drugs-I WOULD have her tested-NOT a government agency. Why are welfare recipients not tested? Because it’s children who are cultivated into being a Socialist Republic-again—WAKE UP. Read the history of world governments and sociology. You will not EVER create this ‘perfect dream society’. History has proven this. Taking rights from citizens empowers the government. And if citizens have no, or little, power…………
By Gert
September 13, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
You have to be drug tested to get a job, why should school be any different. School is the childs job. If you are not taking any illegal drugs than being tested should not be an issue
By deana
September 13, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
It is outright frightening how extremely ignorant(not stupid-ignorant) people are to the stealth laws passed within the eductional sectors of our judicial branch. And the “camelot” society concept is SUCH a great sell now isn’t it?! Well worth sacrificing rights and freedom?! Look at 911. The U.S. society is, and has, been programmed for institutional control-to be Lemmings. Drug tests, searches, public cameras, phone taps…can anyone say…USSR, China, N Korea, S Africa, etc. WAKE UP!!!
By deana
September 13, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
It is outright frightening how extremely ignorant(not stupid-ignorant) people are to the stealth laws passed within the eductional sectors of our judicial branch. And the “camelot” society concept is SUCH a great sell now isn’t it?! Well worth sacrificing rights and freedom?! Look at 911. The U.S. society is, and has, been programmed for institutional control-to be Lemmings. Drug tests, searches, public cameras, phone taps…can anyone say…USSR, China, N Korea, S Africa, etc. WAKE UP!!!
By JD
September 13, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
As a parent and alum of Edgewood, I think this has been a long time coming. Our children are exposed to things at a much younger age now, via television and internet etc, and having the school step up and say, ‘We are watching out for your kids too’ means a lot. I support it 100%. It’s telling the kids, you are going to be held accountable. I can’t see a downside. Thank you Edgewood for taking a stand to give my children a positive educational experience in a healthy environment!!!
By Diana
September 13, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
I think some parents would be shocked to know who is on drugs and who isn’t! Drug testing is a good start towards the problem but not a fix. We as parents need to take the time and talk to and watch our kids. It should start with us! I do agree that all employees at schools should be included in the random testing. I personally know three adults that do drugs and they all have kids. I can’t imagine doing drugs and telling your kid not to. Kids deserve to be in a drug free home to begin with.
By Lisa
September 13, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
Am new to Ohio and this district,when I received this note home on Friday. I assumed this was a decision that had been made after careful polling of the community and much research on the school board’s part. Unfortunately, after attending the Wednesday night meeting I realize that very few parents are aware of this situation or do not care enough. There were maybe 50 people in that auditorium. Most of them were board members or high school personnel. Where are the parents in this community?
By Dale
September 13, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
I agree with sailor and D check one then check then all ,right up to the board of education. I would guess that the faculty and administration would scream the loudest.I have no problem with drug testing but do with who would get to pick and chose whom to test, way to much room for abuse of the system.
By Sharon
September 13, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this
Yes, I agree if the teachers and other staff including the principle are equally tested. If setting an example is the main issue here then it should be across the board. There should be no exceptions and if that is not part of the agreement then no, it is not fair to test the students and the parents should start banding together and letting the school system know.
By Reason
September 13, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
How about testing the administrators and teachers for common sense and reason? Odorless, colorless, and does more harm to a greater percentage of students than any drug.
By d
September 13, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this
The Education System needs to be treated as a whole. If officials are going to test students, then teachers, cafeteria workers, principals, administrators, every single person that has a role within the system needs to be tested as well. Issue two - All schools have a drug problem? My kids are not doing drugs because I know who they hang with, who their friends parents are, and where they are at and what they are doing…… Control of these kids needs to start at home with the Parents!!!
By Sailor
September 13, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this
Yes I will Agree if the Teachers are Randomly Tested Also at the same time the students are. They are the Ones Teaching our Children about a No Drug Policy and if they say no that would void the contract and the school would have the right to dismiss them like they would a student. We do live in a country that says equal rights for all and age discrimination is agaist the law, But I am a guy that has never understood the fine line that draws the difference between a porn star and prostitute.
By M
September 13, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this
I do not agree with the Sumpreme Court’s decision. The matter should only be per suspected students and with parental permission. While it may have good intentions, abuse of a program isn’t easy to monitor and ruining a childs future isn’t a good thing either. Remember, if a child makes a mistake and trys a drup, gets tested, then he/she will have that on their permanent record and will be denied any future grants, scholorships, and Government Student Loans.
By Terry
September 13, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this
Let the parents and legal system deal with the drugs/alcohol. Schools struggle to educate the kids,much less deal with drug use and alcohol.If the kid demonstrates drug/alcohol use in the school environment,the schools should let the police and parents know the situation and the kid should be removed immediately from the class room.Schools have no time to be the correction factor for social ills-all time needs to be focused on education as the schools have a long way to go to improve performance