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New Drug Policy For Escambia Schools
August 17, 2010
A new plan to attack drugs will in place when classes begin August 23 in the Escambia County School District.
The Comprehensive Drug Awareness Plan will use cameras and other surveillance methods to target the influx of drugs into the district’s schools. The district will decide later at a later date to possibly implement random drug testing in the future.
“I’m very happy to see the district moving in this direction. I have been steadfast in my advocacy of this type of a policy in our schools for the last four years,” said Jeff Bergosh, Escambia County School Board District 1 member. “We can and should do everything we can to control the environment in and around our schools.”
Bergosh said he believes the new drug policy will have a dramatic and immediate impact in the county, and it will help thousands of children if properly implemented.
The following is an outline of the plan:
Purpose: Create drug free zones within middle and high schools. Prevent alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, prescription, tobacco and other illegal drugs from being present on Escambia school campuses.
Prevention (Curriculum & Instruction Assistant Superintendent and Level Directors)
- Marketing materials (slogan; posters)
- Drug education and awareness (assemblies, speakers, etc)
- Video messages for morning announcements
- Notice to students about potential of searches for drugs; unannounced searches of desks, lockers and other targeted areas
- Student committees on each middle and high school campus to focus on prevention
- Parent education
- Early intervention for elementary schools (Too Good For Drugs; Red Ribbon Week)
- Agency involvement to include law enforcement
Enforcement (Protection Services)
- Drug dog searches (frequent and systematic)
- School Drug watchdog reporting organizations
- Random drug testing – requires School Board approval
- Surveillance cameras installed at all middle and high schools
Consequences (Court Liaison)
- Consistent consequences for offenders
- Provide rehabilitation training / assistance as part of consequence
Support (Guidance Services and Alternative Education)
- Assistance for addicts
- Training for administrators, teachers and support staff to recognize early warning signs of drug use
- Tip Boxes for each middle and high school
- University of Florida partners with one pilot high school to complete the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) with focus on prescription drugs
Comments
26 Responses to “New Drug Policy For Escambia Schools”
Random drug testing – the military has been doing it for decades with good result. It needs to be done in schools too, and not just the students, but the staff as well.
I think this looks like the start of a good plan.
The School Board better approve that drug testing!
I am a 2009 graduate and honestly, I would have liked the idea of random drug testing in the school. I was there to learn-that’s what school is for, people. I didn’t want to be surrounded by people that were high or even had drugs with them. To me, that is scary. People do some stupid things over drugs and when they are high. Don’t you ever watch the news?! Drug crimes are a big thing in America now and if starting at the schools is one of the many ways to help stop it then I say go for it! Don’t you want your children to go somewhere in life and to be something someday? I’m pretty sure that the day you brought them home from the hospital you didn’t look into your babies eyes and say, “I’m so happy you are in this world. When you grow up, I want you to be a dope head.” NEGATIVE! The school board isn’t out to hurt or harm your children. If anything, they are taking out what may harm them or rob them of their education. If you consider this “wasted tax dollars” then you need to do some more research. Indeed, tax dollars are wasted on a lot of things but this is not one of them. And I am with some of the others on here-talk to your kids. MY parents talked to me about drugs and I am proud to say that I have never done any of them. No, I’m not perfect, but I am drug free! That is what is wrong with society today-it’s wrong to spank your children…again, NEGATIVE!!! Read your Bible. “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” I got my butt whipped and trust me- I may not have liked it at the time that I was getting it but I know that it did me a world of good and I respect my parents for that. I’m not saying beat your child, I am just saying that, as a parent, you need to teach them who the parent and who the child is. P.S. THE PARENT IS IN CHARGE- NOT THE CHILD! -Just saying.
Hey “horrific” I dont want to teach my child @ home. Although I must say my child is up @ 5am during the school year & is up by 7am during school breaks. IF I thought my son was doing drugs I would have him tested myself. I have raised 3 other children & they never got involved in drugs. YES to testing the ones that have some kind of school activities(football players/cheerleaders/even the ones in band/& so on) It is up to the parents to disipline thier kids or be @ the school when & if thie kids get in trouble @ school. I think its a great idea to use the dogs. If kids are a problem @ school then have meetings w/the parents..yes I know some parents dont give a darn..then test away ! My son goes to school to learn. He dresses right. He mostly wants to be left alone @ school. WHY? I have taught him that. School is a place to learn & for him not to be scared of reporting anything he may see & especially the bullies. I worry more about that than the drugs @ this time in his life.
drug test only if questionable behavior warrants.
Drug testing on only the kids in activities?
Are you kidding.
They should do a hair follicle test on every kid at the beginning of the
school year and then at random if they look like they need it.
Mary I am sure they wouldn’t do this without your knowledge and
consent if it ever gets that far.
If you don’t want it you can always home school which I don’t recommend
as everyone I know that does it doesn’t even bother to drag their little
rug rats out of bed in the mornings to teach them the first basic which
is discipline and structure.
All I have to say is..before anyone tries to test my son they better call me 1st..I have the rite to say what is done w/my child…he is not in any school activities (thats where the testing needs to be) . The cameras are a great idea since my son is “BULLIED” by other students..& Yes I will press charges if another student or anyone else lays a hand on my son.
Drug testing is done by surprise on many jobs these days. What’s the problem?
ISN’T THE WHOLE IDEA FOR EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN IN SCHOOL TO PREPARE THEM FOR A CAREER.
Also, as far as the cameras are concerned, What’s the problem? There is little cost to installing & maintaining a camera especially compared to saving a life!! Besides you can put up false cameras but the students won’t be sure which one is real. Also, there has been times when fights have happen and both were suspended. No more punishing the innocent!!!! Problem solved when it is on camera.
Times have changed!!! Ask yourself!!! When is the last time you left your door unlocked at home? Between the drugs and the hardship of the economy, I hope not very often.
Once you leave your homes there is cameras everywhere. Lets face it!!! What’s more important a child’s safety or privacy!!!!!!!!!
Oh and for all of you neanderthal anti-government types that don’t want all this, then why don’t you try getting up Monday mornings yourselves and go
police your own little thugs in the hallways of school this year.
It might just open your eyes.
Oh sorry I don’t want to spoil any of your recovery time from
illegal hunting and drinking and driving all weekend.
I’m so glad to see some of these comments from some of the parents
about being willing to have anything done that would ensure the safety
of their children and everyone else’s.
It just about made me cry.
With all the crap you read on here I was really beginning to think no
one up here cares one wit about their children for the long haul.
I am appaulled at anyone who is worried about where the money is
going to come from.
The school system is broken people.
The children are hurting.
The schools have let the children run the place for way too long
and claimed they are not there to police them.
BULL
Thats part of their job.
Where ever there are children someone needs to police them.
When I was in school we had hall monitors and the best no problem
kids were chosen with great care to be a monitor.
You had to dress a certain way and learn how to be neat and have
your hair combed.
you didn’t come to school looking like the cat just dragged you in
and you didn’t go to school at 12 looking like a hooker either.
I think it’s very sad that the schools and the parents have absolutely
let it come to THIS.
Now there are still those of you who are only worried where the money
will come from to straighten out this mess your children are in.
I say stop smoking, stop drinking, don’t go to dinner at least once a month
in town, and stop having breakfast every morning at GEE WILLIES and
all the other crap you blow your wads on that I see.
Why not save that money each month for say oh the next 3 months and
donate to your childs school for this exact purpose. CAMERAS,. MONITORS,
TIP BOXES, or what ever it freaken takes to keep your children in line
and off drugs, so they can get a great education and learn to soar……..
IT’S YOUR JOB!
REGARDING:
“this can only escalate into more and more control. Its socialism in raw form.”
Actually, it isn’t socialism.
Look at Encarta on socialism: “a political theory or system in which the means of production and distribution are controlled by the people and operated according to equity and fairness rather than market principles”
The main thrust of socialism is government control of what is made and making sure everybody gets their fair share–as decided by whoever is running the government. Trying to get drugs out of public schools is not an attempt to make sure everybody gets the same amount. Nor is it an attempt to take over the drug trade–not that that wouldn‘t bankrupt it.
Not all bad things are socialism even if you think getting drugs out of schools is a bad thing. I don’t think that would be bad but even if I did, it just wouldn’t be socialism. You would be amazed at how many non socialist countries–and even parents!–want dope out of schools.
David for proper terminology,
lest you somehow give socialism a bad name
REGARDING:
“In the course of human events and freedom, we can not just stand by and let our civil liberties be taken away from us. ”
I doubt they can get the random drug testing approved unless they can show reasonable cause to do so. For instance, those driving vehicles might be impaired by drugs, so random drug testing is reasonable because they might hurt someone. That it might make them fall asleep in class might be less cause. Those showing violent tendencies should be dealt with immediately, not in some random manner.
On the other hand, sniffing for drugs is not a violation of civil liberties and people really don’t have to bring drugs to school, no matter what you might think. Bringing drugs to school would be a criminal act. it would be nice if schools were crime-free zones not free-crime zones.
David for good dogs
Well, well.
http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/apsad2.cfm
I fully support a viable, proven approach to a school drug prevention program and I stand by my assertion that the proposed plan is not only hollow, but harmful.
I can see trying to make school a safe place, you’d be surprised the things even in elementay school that kids are awareof or even exposed to. Our family doesn’t have a problem with tests. We have talked many times with our son, and have made ‘testing’ a threat with him. Also have talked in depth about the many ‘unwanted’ effects and problems that drugs can cause ~ even in the furture due to just one or two times trying something when young. (a lot of the discussions have actually brought up by him because of the ‘highs/thrills’ he’s heard about one’s getting from certain drugs. all since he was only in 4th grade/now in 7th.) Everyone needs to talk to their kids openly and they will listen and come to you (don’t wait until they are teenagers). But, something else we all need to remember…perscriptions and all thier dangers need to be talked about as well.
These days a lot of the ‘drug’ problems are perscription drugs, how is drug dogs and tests going to help put a stop to that? So many kids think ‘it’s a perscription, so it’s safe’. I would like to see some focus here too when it comes to ‘drug free’ programs and talks at the schools.
The cameras are also a good thing. They can show what actually happened when a teacher was not in the area. They have actually helped in identifying a violent bully before someone’s child was majorly hurt…and I’m sure that wasn’t the only one that’s been caught because of the cameras. People need to think about all the possitive that can come from this.
I just wish I had a ‘’secret never ending money supply” like the schoolboard must have to do all this!
I know there are a lot of ignorant people in the world, but these news threads really shed light on how many there are around here. Ignorant people, it’s your time to shine! And shine you do! How many of you have actually step foot in a classroom in the past 10 years? I’m guessing not many.With that being said, I’m also guessing those of you who think it’s so terrible and a violation of our children’s constitutional rights to implement policies and procedures to keep them safe are advocates of violence and drug use. Sound crazy? Well it should! Wake up! Children check some of their rights at the schoolhouse door in order to protect the safety and well-being of everyone. Some of you people who are so against this will be some of those same people who would jump on a lawsuit if something happened to your children that COULD HAVE been prevented using some of these policies and procedures that are being discussed. Times have definitely changed and we need to keep up! Children of all ages are being exposed to things that are potentially harmful. But I guess we should sit back and turn our heads. We sure wouldn’t want to admit that anything was really going on. I mean, children will be children anyway, right?
I am wondering how the school district can afford to put this type of surveillance system in every middle and high school when the school district is already discussing reduction in workforce and other budget cuts for the 2011-2012 school year? Also who is going to pay for this drug testing? Where will that money come from?
I believe we need to contact our school board member, Bill Slayton and voice our concerns.
I think that will be perfect for the schools.I feel that some parents may not be willing to hear or accept the outcome of it but i think it will better the school system as a whole.I have two small children,one in the 1st grade and seventh. We as parents cannot monitor our kids 24/7 and it will be good to know what my child is doing behind the scene. Back in 1987,i remember the neighbors and church members were able to help raise us. Things have truly changed since then and wasnt as bad. Time and people have changed.My opinion is, if i know i can help the situation,if i dont know,my child becomes a part of a problem with the law and can be lost.I would rather know and have help,than not to know and my child ends in jail or worse.Its not a bad idea.Anything to help any one and especially “OUR KIDS”, i am for it.
In the course of human events and freedom, we can not just stand by and let our civil liberties be taken away from us. Stop trying to control every little thing!!! Its not any human’s place to decide what another can or cannot do- not literally, because yeah, there are limitations to that. But for the most part, this can only escalate into more and more control. Its socialism in raw form. Every body HAS to be the same it seems. Hitler would be proud. Then when one person comes to rule over it all, its too late. We’re all being controlled. Think people, think! We’ve seen this coming for far too long.
My personal opion is that let them do the random drug testing it will keep the schools safer and it will get them ready and teach them about real life in a job setting and will hopefully cause less poverty. ANd no it’s not 1987 it is 2010 and in 2010 it is a lot worse than in 1987.
Will the use of cameras and other surveillance methods be targeted on the tip boxes? Just a curious question!
See what I mean
Nobody even wants anything done to their babies before this
even gets started.
Lets don’t try to make the schools safe for the kids who really
want to study.
Lets just let the little animals run the schools.
I personnally see no problem with drug testing.
This IS the year 2010 not 1987.
This is the decades of the drugs, gangs, murders, riots and I guess
people don’t know that girls are harrassed into sexual things
by boys at school.
Lets just let that keep happening and then we’re raising a
boat load of little rapists.
No this will never work, because the parents here don’t think
or care what their little darlings are up to, they just don’t want
them messed with by anyone who does.
Drug tests…..oh my…..what are we agfraid we are going to find.
“Random drug testing – requires School Board approval”
Yeah thats not going to go over well legally, will teachers and staff be participating in the drug testing themselves?
Just wondering if they will still be teaching about the constitution?
I’m just curious as to how much all this is going to cost. I mean, we keep talking about how teachers’ unions are bankrupting the school system with their pension plans and pay raises, yet the county has decided yet again to spend money on zero-tolerance policies that look like something from the Reagan administration’s playbook. Seriously, this is 2010, not 1987.
@you can try
Misleading information in a tip box? Perish the thought! No one would do something like that. Students are so honest; the tip box could never be misused.
Why not have students wear jump-suits to school, walk through an x-ray machine upon entry, bring in no baggage, and build 12′ high fences around schools that are perimeter patrolled by armed security?
Oh, and the drug testing thing? Why not make drug testing a precursor to enrollment? Can’t pass a drug test; can’t go to school. Of course, this would apply to teachers and other employees as well. Anyone who would walk onto the school grounds would be drug tested upon entry…every time.
Let’s extend it a little bit to ensure security and compliance. Have students just reside at the schools from pre-k until graduation? They could be taken from the home and cared for until graduation day. Strict control of education could then be achieved without interference from social or environmental influences. Those who are then chosen to go to college could be transported to that secure facility and those who are not could be placed into workforces. Of course, failure to pass the drug testing terminates all programs for that individual and they are placed into non-productive social programs. (see below)
What would we do with the students who failed daily random drug testing or the people who would dare attempt to enter the school grounds but were halted because they failed drug testing? I’m sure an adequate social program could be developed that would care for them an entire lifetime.
This is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but many have seen the ridiculous enforcement of ‘zero-tolerance’ policies by schools. This one has the potential to out-do them all. School boards (and government, in general) needs to step back and realize they cannot control every part of our lives. A practical approach would be appreciated.
The tip box will just get a bunch of miss leading information.
If you mess with someones kid here the whole family will
vandalize everything you own. The whole family and all
their drinking buddies will harass your whole family on the highway
every time you leave your home.
Good Luck!