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New Jersey Town Could Drug Test Middle Schoolers
Filed under: In The News, Behavior: Tweens, Education: Tweens
Sixth, seventh and eighth graders could get randomly tested for drugs. Credit: CBS
On Wednesday, the Board of Education will vote on the proposed policy, under which sixth, seventh and eighth graders in Belvidere, N.J., would be subject to testing, CBS New York reports.
Oxford Elementary School Principal Sandra Szabocsik tells ParentDish she has gotten mostly positive feedback from the parents she's spoken to about the proposal.
"Belvidere is a small town and there's not a whole lot to do," Szabocsik tells ParentDish. "The younger kids tend to hang out with their older brothers and sisters. The hope is that knowing that they may be drug tested at school the next day will serve as a deterrent."
The American Civil Liberties Union disagrees.
"Random drug testing does not reduce drug use among young people," Jay Rorty, director of the ACLU Criminal Law Reform Project, tells ParentDish. "The high cost, high incidence of false positives and intrusive nature of the test make random testing a poor tool in the important work of drug education."
The drug test itself is a "five panel" test and officials are not allowed to say exactly what they are testing for. Szabocsik says she's unsure if alcohol is included, but says the district considers alcohol a drug.
Drug tests usually check for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines and PCP, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. However, "if a school has a particular problem with other drugs, such as MDMA, GHB or steroids, they can include testing for these drugs as well," the NIDA website states.
If a Belvidere student tests positive, he or she will be given in-school counseling, as well as a referral to an intervention if appropriate. Szabocisik says she's not sure what happens if a student refuses to get counseling.
To participate in the voluntary program, both parents and students must consent.
School officials note that kids who test positive will not be punished, nor will the police be notified. Rather, they would get counseling or be referred to a drug rehab center.
Drug testing is already mandatory for Belvidere High School students who park on campus, join clubs or participate in sports, CBS New York reports.
Schools have had greater freedom to conduct random drug testing since a 2002 Supreme Court ruling allowed random drug testing for all middle school and high school students participating in competitive extracurricular activities -- not just sports, which was the previous policy.
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ReaderComments (Page 7 of 7)
1-11-2011 @ 7:40PM
Marlin said...Are these schools in the "hood" ?
Reply
1-11-2011 @ 7:40PM
charlenechow said...what is this? this is insane? drug testing kids? r u out of ur mind? how can u possibly test kids when they haven't really done anything wrong? u guys are sickos
Reply
1-16-2011 @ 7:55PM
Melissa Brittin said...Honestly i believe if you do drug testing that yes it will scare a few students into not doing it again. But even if you do and people are caught it doesn't always make them stop using the drug. Also if your thinking of school counseling you might as well forget it because most teens will not agree to it. You would have better luck with a rehab center.
Reply
1-13-2011 @ 4:56PM
Ellie said...I'm 12 and in 6th grade & they random drug test us all the time.
Reply
1-11-2011 @ 7:47PM
Alec said...I'm a middleschooler and I know that at least 50% of my classmates would not pass a drug test. I would so I would be in support.
Reply
1-11-2011 @ 7:48PM
sa said...what a screwed up idea, big brother sticking their nose where it does not belong are the teachers Admin. support staff being tested ? if not mind your business and keep clear of my child
Reply
1-11-2011 @ 8:07PM
l3ibby said...this is COMPLETE BULLSHIT. they shouldnt be allowed to drug test kids! that is so ridiculous. why cant people mind their own business, people should have the right to make their own choices. the whole idea of a government is just idiotic.
Reply
1-11-2011 @ 8:35PM
Gary said...Mandatory random drug testing for our elected officials would be at least, if not more, beneficial to our society.
Reply
1-11-2011 @ 8:25PM
Unconcerned said...Why should kids be tested for this at SCHOOL? If the parents are concerned about whether or not their kids are using drugs then they should use their OWN money to see and find out. Tax payers really so not need to waste their money on such things. They need to leave it to the parents. And obviously if their children are using drugs at such a young age then they sure havent done a very good job of explaining what certain drugs can do, or what could possibly happen if you get caught using them. That if you take too much of one that it could result in DEATH.
Reply
1-11-2011 @ 11:06PM
Linda said...It is never too early to start drug awareness. At this time, middle school kids are exposed to illegal and prescritption drugs. By the time they get to the high schools so many have experimented and may very well become addicted. Do not close your eyes to this epedemic....
Reply
1-12-2011 @ 11:44AM
carla lowe said...Non punitive random student drug testing (screening) is the best 3 in 1 tool , prevention/intervention/treatment, in one simple action. It has reduced illicit drug use where ever used. It relieves the burden of accusation from parents/teachers/administrators. Billions of dollars are spent "shoveling up the damage" from illicit drug use. NPRSDT is an investment in the future, not an expense. Joseph Califano of Columbia University says, "If we can get a child to age 21 without using illicit drugs, he/she is virtually certain never to do so."
Reply
1-12-2011 @ 12:51PM
Judge Tom said...For more about random drug tests at school and the rights & responsibilities of students, take a look at: www.askthejudge.info. This is a free, interactive website for & about teenagers and the laws that affect them.
Thanks for looking.
Respectfully, -Judge Tom.
Reply