cannabisnews.com: Another Small District Tests for Drugs Another Small District Tests for Drugs Posted by FoM on January 30, 2000 at 00:03:19 PT By The Associated Press Source: Houston Chronicle Beginning Tuesday, students in sixth through 12th grades and all teachers in the Lockney Independent School District will be tested for drugs. All students, not just those in athletics or other extracurricular activities, will be required to take the urine test. Parents have been asked to sign consent forms prior to testing. If parents refuse, the tests are considered positive, and students will face repercussions the same as if they had failed the test. The penalty for a first-time positive result is 21-day suspension from extracurricular activities, three days of in-school suspension and three sessions of drug counseling. Teachers testing positive for drugs will be fired. "It's a long story, but society has just brought us to this point," superintendent Raymond Lusk told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. "We do a lot of things (now) that at one time we would say was not the school's job to do. Schools have kind of become all things, and our job description has expanded." The district first looked into a drug-testing policy in 1997. Lusk touted the policy. He said it will prevent health problems, ensure that students are on their best behavior, and disarm peer pressure. "If they're in a group and someone tries to pressure them to use (a drug), this is a reason for them to say no," he said. "I think we're helping the parents, too, if we alert them to something they weren't aware of." Some parents say they're concerned about mandatory testing and holding students responsible for parents' refusal to sign the consent form. "What scares me the most, if I do not sign it, they are going to punish my child for what I do, and I definitely do not think that's right," Larry Tannahill told the newspaper. "Every person has got a right to their own opinion, and I do not think they can enforce this," Tannahill said. "I cannot let the school say, `I know how to raise your child better than you.' " Lockney is the fourth school in the area to start mandatory drug testing. School officials in Post and Sundown have said their policies are effective and supported in their communities. In Tulia, a former student sued the school district, claiming the testing violated his rights. The case is pending in a federal court in Amarillo. Lockney, a town of 2,100 people, is 43 miles northeast of LubbockLOCKNEY (AP) To contact us:E-mail: hci chron.com Copyright: Houston ChronicleCannabis News Drug Testing Articles:http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/list/drug_testing.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by Wiccan on January 31, 2000 at 22:53:19 PT: Relief from peer pressure A relief from peer pressure eh? What if you WANT to smoke marijuana and it's just keeping you from doing what you should be legally allowed to do anyway... As for the forcing parents to sign consent forms, and if they do not the child will be punished... I'm sure that's what is going to bring this bulls*** down. Parents are full U.S. citizens, unlike us poor school children... the judge won't throw away their rights to. Heh, a consent form where there is a right answer... hmm. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Doc-Hawk on January 30, 2000 at 19:58:35 PT: ACLU Alert in Texas I just received a note from the President of the ACLU Ft. Worth Chapter. They have issued an alert to the state. His remark was "This is really outrageous!"Outrageous is really a weak word for this.Perhaps an injunction will be issued prior to too many people are hurt. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by DontArrestMe on January 30, 2000 at 19:32:46 PT Hmm... 4th amendment rights for students have always been a little sketchy. By entering a school, you consent to a search of your person and belongings. I believe this to be reasonable because of weapons and that drugs should not be carried and sold on school grounds. This is all fine and well but when it comes to the search of a adults blood and urine, reason or no reason, the laws are ultra-protective in most cases, as well they should be. I believe that it is wrong to drug test even a suspicious student without the consent of his parents, especially in a PUBLIC school! So my feelings on the above are obvious. And what about the problems of alcohol and tobacco as they relate to peer pressure? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by timbudd on January 30, 2000 at 15:23:35 PT: This can not be true I find it hard to believe that any school district would actually attempt such a blatantly unconstitutional policies. If however if Scalia somehow could convince the others that such practices are acceptable, it is time to leave the country. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on January 30, 2000 at 10:42:22 PT If du ist innozent, du hass no need to vorry! Nazi's indeed, Hap.Parents have been asked to sign consent forms prior to testing. If parents refuse, the tests are considered positive, and students will face repercussions the same as if they had failed the test.Whatever happened to the 4th and 5th Ammendments? If these people are as truly concerned about the direction society is moving, then they should consider this: In the HitlerJugend (Hitler Youth) the young people were taught they had only the rights granted to them by the State. Absolute obediance was demanded, and had. Even to exposing themselves on demand to ensure no circumcised Jews might have found their way in. (Zu bufehl, mein Kapitain! Zzzip!)What the 'graduates' of the HJ - many of whom became the SS - later did in WWII was a direct result of their earlier experiences as children.And what are we teaching OUR children? That they have no rights, and therefore are under no obligation to respect anyone else's? That's where this is heading, folks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Happy on January 30, 2000 at 01:02:44 PT: Not just wrong: Illegal If parents are coerced into signing, it is not true permission, but permission under extreme duress. Why are they given the choice to sign and forced to? Homeschooling is the answer to this problem. The truth is, if Judges cannot be tested, and that has been decided, neither can students. I smell a big lawsuit, get your lawyers on it immediatly. Put these Nazi's out of business.It reminds me of the PA case where genital exams were given 60 girls to find a hundred bucks. The final judgement:$600,000! GOD given rights! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: