Drug Testing Programs & Drug Testing Kits
The Importance of Random Drug Testing
The Oceanside Unified School District will use nearly $180,000 in federal money to pay for random drug tests for athletes and cheerleaders. For the past eight years, the district has randomly tested athletes for drugs. Administrators say the testing works as a deterrent. This year, for example, fewer than six students at either Oceanside and El Camino high schools tested positive for drugs. The grant will enable the district to test more students than in previous years.
More athletes and even cheerleaders will be randomly tested for drug use at Oceanside high schools, and the news is being welcomed by many students. A nearly $180,000 federal grant will enable the Oceanside Unified School District to randomly test athletes.
Previously, about a third of the district's 2,000 high school athletes have been tested each year. The grant will allow testing for about 1,000 per year.
The drug testing program began eight years ago, but was suspended last fall because of deep cuts in state education spending. A scaled-back program was reinstituted this school year.
"We thought we could eliminate this program temporarily, but almost immediately coaches, principals and athletic directors told us we really need to bring it back," district spokeswoman Laura Chalkely said. "Students were telling them that they needed this program to keep kids from using drugs."
Last school year, there were 59 drug-or alcohol-related suspensions among El Camino High School's about 2,850 students, and 45 suspensions among 2,300 Oceanside High students.
Under the expanded program, drug tests will be administered three days a week to high school athletes. The tests can detect the presence of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, steroids and alcohol. (continued below...)
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The drug tests are not meant to be punitive, Chalkley said, and students who test positive won't be suspended or expelled. Rather than catch students and punish them, the goal is to deter them from using drugs, to get them help if they have a drug problem and keep them safe during games.
For a first offense, students aren't allowed to participate in games for five school days, but can attend practice. In addition, they are required to enroll in drug counseling at the district's expense. Students who test positive for drugs twice are ineligible to participate in games for 45 days and are required to enroll in drug counseling at their family's expense.
"These tests are intended to be used as a deterrent to help kids early on," Chalkely said.
It seems to work. In any given year, no more than six athletes at either Oceanside or El Camino high schools have tested positive.
By contrast, drugs and other contraband sniffed out by canines periodically brought on campus can result in severe disciplinary measures, including expulsion. This program involves all students, and it is designed to enforce school rules banning drugs on campus.
The district will notify parents and athletes about the testing, but already news of an expanded program is spreading at both high schools. "I think it's good because it will give a fairer chance to the people who are preparing for games without taking muscle-enhancing drugs," said David Hernandez, a senior and a varsity basketball player at Oceanside High School.
Oceanside Senior Dreya Haynes said student athletes are expected to demonstrate good citizenship and decent grades, so being sober and drug-free seems a reasonable expectation.
"I think a lot of students will be disappointed about this because we do have some that use drugs," said Haynes, who plays varsity tennis, basketball and softball. "But I think it's a good idea."
Oceanside High athletic director Pat Kimbrel said it's a safety issue. Students under the influence of drugs or alcohol are a danger to themselves and others during a game. Kimbrel said the tests also give students an excuse to avoid succumbing to peer pressure.
"We need to send the right message and give students another reason to say no when they go out to party Friday or Saturday night," he said.
An outside vendor, U.S. Healthworks, which has offices throughout San Diego County, administers the tests, pulling students from academic classes to provide a urine sample. When students test positive, a physician from Arizona-based Clinical Reference Labs calls their parents.
The Supreme Court has ruled that random drug tests of students may be administered not only to middle and high school athletes but to those involved in other extra-curricular activities, including choir, band and academic teams.
Neighboring districts such as Carlsbad Unified, San Marcos Unified and Poway Unified use drug-sniffing dogs, but none conduct random drug tests of athletes. The Vista school board will vote Monday on whether to adopt a program that will randomly administer drug tests to high school athletes or possibly those involved in other extra-curricular activities. That program will also be funded through a federal grant.
Source: San Diego Union Tribune - United States
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