AHS to start random drug testing of students
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer

MILLSTONE - Approximately 85 percent of Allentown High School students will fall subject to random drug testing starting in the fall.

The Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education voted on June 18 to implement a random drug testing policy that applies to all high school students that participate in athletics, extracurricular and cocurricular activities, possess a school parking permit or elect to participate in the program with parental consent. Those students who do not provide the school district with a signed consent form for the testing will not be able to participate in the aforementioned activities.

Board member Joseph Calvitti abstained from the final vote on the issue, while all other board members voted to approve the policy.

Allentown High School Principal Chris Nagy said the new policy meets the criteria established by the Office of National Drug Control Policy for such policies. He said the policy is nonpunitive, has community buy-in and focuses on the safety and well-being of students by aiming to deter drug and alcohol use. He said the policy connects parents with counseling and other resources.

Parent Bruce Novozinsky said, "If the policy saves a life or limb, I don't care if people are offended by it."

He said such a policy protects all students who want to stay drug free and feel safe in their school.

Christine Cadigan, who works in the school district, said she often hears students in the halls discussing their alcohol and drug use.

"This is a great way for kids to say no," she said of the policy.

Parent Carol O'Connor said the school district should get between kids and drugs any way it can.

"It's a matter of life and death," she said. "I'm for this policy and I hope you have the courage to pass it."

Allentown High School Student Assistance Counselor Rick Rivera said, "Too many kids believe today that taking drugs is a normal part of their lives. We lost two students two years ago and we don't want to lose more. The last three years things have gotten worse and we really need to do something."

Other parents and members of the Students Morally Against Random Testing (SMART) group spoke against the policy.

Parent Kathleen Covitz said she feels 13-year-old students are too young to subject to random testing. She also said the policy may make high school students feel offended and not trustworthy.

Parent Kathy Wolden said students should not be judged guilty until they are proven innocent.

Parent Tom Paladino said the school district's current drug policy, which calls for the testing of students suspected of using, seems to be working. He said last year 27 students suspected of using were sent for testing, of which 10 tested positive. He said Hunterdon Central High School, which has implemented random drug testing, sent 500 students for testing last year, of which four tested positive.

"That's less than 1 percent," he said. "It's a waste of money and a waste of time to do random tests. Leave the policing up to the parents and law enforcement."

Matthew Dallas, who just graduated from the high school, asked the board why it didn't poll students or the community about establishing such a policy.

Calvitti said he abstained from the vote because he morally believes the school district needs to do something about Allentown High School "where the kids are high too." However, he said most of his constituents came out against the policy and he feels punishment for student drug use should be left in the hands of parents.

Laura Dreifus, the Millstone board member, said the majority of the Millstone Board of Education is in favor of such a policy.

Board member Chris Shaw said he supports the policy because he believes it has the power to save a life.

Board member Howard Kreiger said he could see both sides of the issue.

"It doesn't matter what the constituents say, we're elected to do what we think is right," he said.

Board President Joseph Stampe said he has received more phone calls and e-mails about the policy than any other issue.

"People are saying, 'Don't back down' and 'Do what's best for my kid sitting in class next to the kids using drugs,'" he said.

Sophomore Erinn Benedict said even though she is morally opposed to the policy, she will have to comply with it in order to participate in the extracurricular activities necessary for applying to college. She said such testing is degrading to menstruating students and those with medical issues. She also had concerns about stigma.

"It's a small school and things get around pretty fast," Benedict said. "Once a student is pulled from an extracurricular activity, it's going to be pretty obvious to everyone what happened."

Sophomore Amber McGarvey said she will comply with the testing because she is dedicated to field hockey, but believes the school district should have to establish a reason to drug-test students.

Sophomore Alex Williams said he will also likely consent to the testing.

"I am not against it entirely," he said. "I'm against the way they're doing it because it should be nonpunitive."

Responses for positive test findings vary according to the number of infractions a student has had. For each infraction, a student falls subject to counseling sessions with the student assistance coordinator. While a first infraction is nonpunitive, second and third infractions result in students being suspended from sports/activities/parking and any Board of Education sponsored activities.