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Drug Testing In Mobile Schools Passes First Step

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By Steve Alexander Reporter

M50o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Drug Testing In Mobile Schools Passes First Step

Published: Tue, May 27, 2008 - 10:17 pm

Steve Alexander

Mobile County School leaders said "Yes" to student drug testing Tuesday night.
Under the proposal by Superintendent Roy Nichols, the testing would take place at Vigor and Theodore High Schools and Burns and Denton Middle Schools beginning in the fall.
Students at the four schools subject to random drug testing would be those who participate in extracurricular activities, drive vehicles on campus, or whose parents voluntarily sign them up.
Superintendent Nichols said, "We want to give you (students) an excuse to tell your peers when they try to get you to try drugs to say, 'No, no, no: I want to still be the president of the student government, I want to be an NBA basketball star.' "
Under the plan, students who test positive the first time won't be able to participate in extracurricular activities for 30 days or drive to school, but Nichols said, "If they do slip and fall and they're are caught under the influence of drugs or having had used drugs in the recent past, then we would put them into a counseling program, them and their parents together."
The school board approved the plan unanimously.
Board member Ken Megginson said, "I like the idea of giving the public a little bit more information, a little bit more time."
But don't necessarily expect the drug testing program to get final approval at the next board meeting Monday morning.
School officials want to give the public a chance to give feedback on the proposal first.
Tuesday night, The board was also scheduled to talk about a proposal re-designating LeFlore High School as LeFlore Magnet School, with a theme of pre-law and pre-medicine.
But the item was pulled from the agenda because Board Member Fleet Belle, who represents the district that includes LeFlore, wasn't at the meeting.
The change back to LeFlore Magnet School is scheduled to be taken up again Monday.

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Most of the highest ranked seniors at the Alabama School of Math and Science’s classes of 2001-2003 smoked marijuana on a daily basis. I even know someone who made a 35 (out of 36) on the ACT without a calculator after using drugs the night before, who went on to get a degree in mathematics.

The only reason for drug testing in schools is to create a police state and to ruin lives.

Posted by KxVx on 06/05/08 - 10:34 am • Report Abuse

You would be suprised how many teachers have to instill values in these children NO IDEA!! A lot of children are ignored by their parents so they look for comfort in other ways. This could be a wake up call for some parents.

Posted by SumOneILove on 06/04/08 - 12:27 pm • Report Abuse

Sounds like a good idea to me, test all those that the tax payers are paying to do a job. Leading by being an example has always been a good idea.

Posted by carl on 06/04/08 - 10:58 am • Report Abuse

I think taxpayer funded drug testing should start with teachers first and school personel second. I do not want my tax dollars going out for drug testing someone elses kid. If parents want to drug test their own children then they can pay for it. A parent’s desire to keep up with their own child’s welfare is their buisness and their buisness only. It is not the responsiblity of the school system or the tax payer to intrude on a parents child raising duties.

Posted by working4u on 06/04/08 - 10:42 am • Report Abuse

I am the mother of four wonderful children, two of which currently attend Mobile, County schools. Both of my children are in the gifted program and has never been a problem to their teachers. I say that because if I didn’t you would suspect I was one of those poor mothers in denial.
Unless my kids are in an extracurricular activity it is none of the schools business what my children do. I am their mother, guardian, and protector… not the school. I am required by law to send my children to school, so I don’t have a choice, but even if my children did decide to try illegal drugs it is not a matter for the child to have on his or her record for the rest of their life. Colleges, military, and other careers wants your high school transcripts, so one mess up in 9th grade can cause you a job when you are 40.
Besides, if they just test for drugs, all drugs will show up. Even the prescription drugs taken for AIDS/HIV, mental disorders, and everything else will show up.
Are you really comfortable with the school having the right to drug test your child? They may start with the kids that the parents sign up but it will never stay that way. I think the schools should stay out of my job and do their own. Spending this $50,000 a year on drug testing could be another teacher to help ease crowding and get better test results.
WAKE UP PEOPLE!

Posted by OnlyMe on 06/04/08 - 9:41 am • Report Abuse

I know there are kids that will fall through the cracks as far as insurance goes (although the options are there, for the PARENTS to take). I understand that this may deter some kids from “trying” drugs and become future crack heads or pot heads. BUT, why does the school system need to fund drug testing, and I’m wondering if they are also going to fund the follow up counseling? Why not let the Drug Education Council sponsor this program THROUGH the school system? Why use those much needed dollars for teachers and new buildings, when there are other places, like DEC that could possibly step up to the plate to institute this program.

I think the overall idea is good. I’m just not sure that it needs to be the effort of the school system, who is already in dire financial straits, when there are other community programs that could do this service.

Also, if the kid is found positive, and it is determined they are getting the drugs from family, then what? Happens.

Posted by rmseek1234 on 05/29/08 - 1:11 pm • Report Abuse

Ok here is another good idea. Yes if the school decides ok I think this certain child needs drug testing then call the parents in and give them a couple of days to have their child tested and bring the results to the school and put in school file. Most children in Alabama should have insurance anyways. Either medicaid or All kids. I know my children have all kids. and if I was called in to have mine drug tested then I would call and make an appt.

Posted by southernpride7 on 05/28/08 - 5:34 pm • Report Abuse

im with u on this one cmb. we fire NUMEROUS teachers. A few that I know of. That are GREAT teachers. You know the kind like we had when we went to school that actually gave a crap about all the kids in their class. So we fire them because why? we can’t pay them? Oh but we can drug test these kids? I just don’t get it either.

Posted by southernpride7 on 05/28/08 - 5:31 pm • Report Abuse

I have no doubt that there are drug problems within the school, not only with students, but perhaps faculty as well. I would have no problem having my children tested, even though I think this is more of a “family” issue, than a school one. But it concerns me that the school system is going to fork out money for drug testing, but not TEACHERS?! If the schools were adequately staffed to begin with, then perhaps educators, and faculty would notice if a child had a problem, or potential problem. Let’s focus on the education first. I can take my child to my own doctor/lab for a drug test if I feel it is needed.

Posted by rmseek1234 on 05/28/08 - 11:55 am • Report Abuse

Are they testing the teachers, too?

Is there going to be anyone left to teach?

Are they testing school bus drivers?

Is there going to be anyone left to drive the kids to school?

Posted by KxVx on 05/28/08 - 11:44 am • Report Abuse