UFRSD random drug testing policy reviewed
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer

ALLENTOWN - The Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education is considering the merits of random drug testing.

In an effort to promote safety, deter drug use, contribute to an orderly learning environment and encourage voluntary drug testing, the board is considering implementing and conducting the random drug testing of students in athletics, extra-and cocurricular activities aswell as studentswho have parking permits for on-campus parking and those who have violated the district substance abuse policy.

Over the past two years, the board received several presentations from the high school administration regarding the effectiveness of the school district's existing substance abuse policy. In 2007, students asked the board to consider a random drug testing policy.

The board commissioned a committee in the spring of 2007 to provide an analysis of random drug testing as a tool to assist students in identifying their priorities and maintaining a healthy lifestyle during their high school experience. The committee created a draft policy based on that review.

The board is currently reviewing the draft policy and taking public comment into consideration. The board cannot adopt any policy without first introducing it and holding multiple readings, which takes 90 days. If the board adopts a random drug testing policy, it would also determine a set of regulations to guide the implementation of the policy.

The policywould apply to all students in grades 9-12who participate in athletics and co-curricular activities, possess a school parking permit or voluntarily elect to participate in the program with parental consent, according to the draft policy.

Students who do not sign a consent form or have it signed by their parents for the testing, the policy states, would not be able to participate in the aforementioned activities.

The school districtwould test participating students on a periodic basis throughout the course of the school year. According to the draft policy, a designated administrator or contracted drug testing provider would randomly drawthe names of at least 10 percent of those participating in the testing.

The randomly chosen students and their parents would be notified and the chosen students would be tested, which includes providing a urine sample, on the same day. Students who refuse or deliberately avoid testing,mask testing results or test positive would be deemed in violation of the policy, according to the draft policy. The results or resulting actions would not be released to anyone other than the affected students and parent/guardian without written consent.

The school district's responses to positive test findings would vary according to the number of infractions a student has had.

For the first infraction, the principal or vice principal would call the student's parent/ guardian to have the student removed from school to make arrangements for a mandatorymedical examination pursuant to state statute.The studentwould have to complete a minimum of five counseling sessions with the substance awareness coordinator, who would determine an appropriate level of treatment, according to the draft policy.

Treatment, the policy states, could entail attending a prevention/education program at a licensed substance abuse treatment agency, signing into or completing a drug/alcohol in-patient rehabilitation program and/or regular meetings with the substance abuse coordinator.

For the first infraction, the student would be suspended from sports/activities/ parking for 30 days and could only resume those activities upon completion of a clean urine test and student assistance coordinator sessions. The student would also fall subject to three subsequent random drug tests, according to the draft policy.

For a second infraction, a student falls subject to all first infraction responses and to having to complete at least ten counseling sessions with the substance awareness coordinator and attending a rehabilitation programwithin one week of the offense, the policy states.

Parents/guardianswould be responsible for the cost of the treatment program. The student would continue in the recommended aftercare program as well as meet regularly with the substance awareness coordinator, according to the draft policy.

For a second infraction, the student would be suspended from sports/activities/ parking for 60 days. The policy also states that the suspensionwould include all Board of Education-sponsored activities such as, but not limited to, attending athletic or fundraising events, dances, senior trips, and prom and graduation activities.

The studentwould be able to resume activity participation upon submission of a clean urine sample and completion of the required counseling sessions. In the event that the recommended treatment extends beyond the suspension period, the student may resume participation as long as he/she maintains required treatment attendance, according to the draft policy.

The student would also fall subject to three more random tests.

A third infraction would result in all second infraction responses but the student would be suspended from sports/activities/ parking for 365 days. This suspension would also include all Board of Education-sponsored activities, according to the draft policy.

The policy also states that failure to comply with its guidelines after any infraction could lead to intervention meetings among the student, parent/guardian and administration and possible referral to the Division of Youth and Family Services.

If the policy moves forward, the committee is considering using an independent agency with a medical review officer certified by the Medical Review Officer Certification Council to administer the random drug tests. The anticipated annual cost of the program is up to $5,000 per year and is calculated upon a base fee for the 10 percent of the school population.

The board allowed for further public comment on the proposed randomdrug testing policy at its March 19 meeting, which also entailed a presentation by Christine Steffner, of theOffice ofNationalDrug Control Policy.

For more information, visit www.ufrsd.net.