Are you for or against student drug testing?

This year, Lake Highland Preparatory School (LHPS) implemented mandatory drug testing for all students in grades 7-12, equating to approximately 1,200 children. Well, it’s proving to be effective, according to Warren Hudson, LHPS President. In regards to high school level results, “99.5% of the students tested negative.” Hudson suspects that the students’ realization of exposure, as a result of testing, likely changed behavior, and thus, decreased and/or eliminated the use of illegal substances. This is, of course, among the precise goals of the screenings: 1) prevent drug use all together through risk of discovery 2) intervene upon existing risky behaviors and direct to help, if needed.

According to the detailed FAQs document housed on the private school’s website (lhps.org), the issue of drug use among students is a national concern (with experimentation likely beginning in middle schools); however, a LHPS survey did find that a ‘minority of Upper School students’ are experimenting with drugs or alcohol. Hudson says, “The response to testing from parents has been positive overall, with a very small minority expressing concerns, such as invasion of privacy. In terms of the emails that I’ve received, for example, there’s a ratio of 50 to 2 in support of our efforts.” Eva Kelso, whom has two children at LHPS, said, “Although I don’t have any current concerns about either of my daughters taking drugs, I do support the drug testing initiative at Lake Highland. It reinforces to my girls and other students that drugs will not be tolerated by either us (the parents) or by the school. This eliminates the peer pressure of experimentation that they may face in certain social settings because there is now a clear understanding of the immediate consequences. For those unfortunate parents who do receive the heartbreaking news that their child has tested positive for drugs, it grants them the opportunity to get engaged early and stop the behavior before it escalates into a real problem.” Kelso adds, “In light of the situation, however, we do playfully tease our youngest that by the time she is a senior, she will have a head full of bald spots from yearly sampling.”

The testing, which costs $39 per student and was funded by an anonymous donor, required each student to submit a hair sample at the beginning of the year. Psychemedics tested for 18 different drugs, including cocaine, opiates, and marijuana, but did not test for synthetic drugs, like bath salts, or alcohol. The LHPS policy states that if a child tests positive, two steps are taken: First, the family is notified and provided a packet containing professional services (to facilitate appropriate treatment, if needed). Second, the child is retested within 100 days (hair samples can detect drug use for upwards of three months). A second positive outcome may result in the student having to ‘withdraw’ from LHPS.

So, what happens next? Parents of middle school students will soon receive test results. High school students who tested positive on the initial test will undergo retesting within 100 days. Additional subsequent tests will be conducted both on a randomized basis of all students and those needed because of “probable cause.” LHPS is also providing students and parents with education.

“This is not punitive ─ that’s not the objective here at all. It’s to identify a child that’s got a problem that parents don’t even know about, so that they can get the child help…and that is a very, very small minority,” explains Hudson, confirming that the parents of one male student were, in fact, in denial when their child tested positive; however, upon their request, a second test confirmed the original findings. That counts as ‘strike one’ and he’ll be retested within 100 days.

Hudson continued, “Then, (the objective) is to equip those other kids who don’t want to take drugs with an excuse better than ‘my mama won’t let me do that (i.e. take drugs).’ Instead, they can say ‘my school tests and I’ll be found out.’ Hopefully, that will help (the students stay away from drugs).”

Shari Bobinski, Senior Specialist of Media Relations at Orange County Public Schools, confirmed that no public school in the district currently implements drug testing, nor does she suspect that such a policy would be proposed. Though, the OCPS’ student code of conduct states, “According to state law, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and/or alcohol by students on school grounds or at any school activity is prohibited.” However, other area private schools, including The First Academy, do facilitate drug testing for students.

While I’ll leave it up to you, our OFM readers, to decide if mandatory drug testing (at private schools) is a positive or negative tactic, I will only add that Mr. Hudson’s transparency is to be respected. Once the decision was made to initiate a drug testing program, Mr. Hudson communicated detailed steps and goals to parents, students, and the media.

Do you agree with mandatory drug testing on students? Or should drug concerns solely be addressed in the home?