GCCISD to implement random drug-testing program

Goose Creek CISD will implement a Board-approved random drug-testing program for high school students at the start of the 2008-09 school year. 

According to Dr. Toby York, deputy superintendent for personnel and student services, the purpose of the random drug-testing program is to ensure the health and safety of students.

“Our district realizes that the use of illegal drugs and alcohol is a concern with high school students,” York explained.  “We hope that this program will serve as a deterrent to the use of illegal drugs and alcohol by offering students a credible means for resisting peer pressure.  This also gives us an opportunity to offer support and assistance to any student who may be using drugs and alcohol.”

York explained that the program is for students in grades nine through 12 who participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities or have a permit to drive and park at the campus.

Meetings to explain the program will be held with students who will be in high school during the 2008-09 school year as well as with staff members and parents.  Staff meetings at Robert E. Lee and Ross S. Sterling high schools will be held on March 13 and 26, respectively, with meetings for eighth through 11th graders to be held during the school day the week of March 24.

Parent meetings will be held at Sterling High School on March 31 and at Lee High School on April 3.  Both meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.   Brochures with details about the program also will be provided at all of the meetings.

Objectives of the program include the following:

• To prevent injury, illness and harm resulting from the use of illegal drugs or alcohol
• To help ensure a drug-free educational environment
• To deter student use of illegal drugs or alcohol
• To educate students regarding the harm caused by the use of illegal drugs or alcohol
• To offer students a means to resist peer pressure as it relates to the use of illegal substances
• To provide a source of assistance to any student who may be using illegal substances

Drug testing will be conducted by urinalysis, the most common method of testing, due to its accuracy and reliability, York said.  The district will work with a drug-testing vendor to conduct the testing periodically throughout the school year.

The vendor chosen to conduct the drug testing will randomly select students for each testing by using electronic methods.

Substances for which students will be tested include, but will not be limited to, the following:

• Amphetamines/methamphetamines (speed, uppers, diet pills)
• Barbiturates (downers, sleeping pills)
• Benzodiazepines (Valium, Librium)
• Cannabinoid (marijuana)
• Cocaine metabolite
• Ethanol (alcohol)
• Hallucinogens (LSD)
• Methodone
• Opiates (Heroin, Morphine, Codeine)
• Phencyclidine (PCP, Angel Dust)
• Propoxyphene (Darvon)

If a student tests positive, the vendor will further test the specimen using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methodology.  If the specimen still tests positive, the vendor will contact the student’s parent or guardian to determine whether there is an alternative medical explanation, such as a prescription medication, for the positive result.  If there is no medical explanation for a positive result, the school district will be notified.

Samples are divided in half during the testing, and parents may choose to have the second half of the sample taken during collection sent to a lab for independent testing at their own cost.  The vendor retains control of all student records and will only communicate information related to a positive test result to the parent or guardian and the district’s designated contact person.

Because the drug-testing policy is intended to identify students in need of assistance in dealing with drug and alcohol issues, no disciplinary consequences will result, York explained. 

For example, on a first offense, a student will be required to successfully complete a district-approved counseling program and submit to further drug testing as deemed appropriate by the district, York explained.  The student will not be suspended from any extracurricular activity or lose driving and parking privileges.

On a second offense, a student will be suspended from participation in any extracurricular activity and campus driving/parking privileges for 30 days.   The student may participate in practices but no competitive activities.  In addition, the student and parent will again be notified of drug and alcohol abuse prevention resources available, and the student must submit to further drug testing as appropriate.

On a third offense, a student will be suspended from participation in any extracurricular activity and campus driving/parking privileges for 365 calendar days.  The student may not participate in practices or competitive activities, and the district will determine if the student may continue to be enrolled in any instructional class offered that is required for the student to receive credit toward graduation. 

The random drug-testing program is just one component of a comprehensive Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community program, York said. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend the upcoming parent meetings for more information on the random drug-testing program.  Additional details, including a complete copy of questions and answers and Board Policy (FNF) on the random drug-testing program, are available on the district web site at www.gccisd.net.