Escambia County School District Considers Random Student Drug Testing

December 10, 2010

The Escambia County School District is considering random student drug testing for the next school year.

Under the proposed policy presented to the school board Thursday, students that participate in athletics, extracurricular activities or park on campus would be subject to the random urine tests. A signed parental consent form would be valid during the entire school year, not just for the duration of the athletic season or extracurricular activity period.

Students whose parents do not consent to the tests would not be allowed to participate in the activities — including any practice, tryout, rehearsal or even sit with the team, club or organization at a game or pep rally.

The drug tests will be conducted by the school health nurse or technician under the plan. If there is a positive result, the student would be required to take a follow-up drug test at a District-approved licensed laboratory within 24 hours. Failure to take the follow-up test would be considered a positive result, according to the proposed plan.

If a student refuses to participate in a random drug test, it will be considered a positive result.

A positive result would result in the student being removed from all extracurricular and athletic activities, including practices, for at least 30 days and would be suspended from driving on the school campus. The student would be referred to a District-approved drug assessment and rehabilitation program.

A student with a positive drug test result would be required to pass a second drug test before participation in future activities at the expense of their parents. They would be subject to additional random drug tests, and they would remain on probation for the rest of their school years in the Escambia County School District. The student would not be allowed to return to any leadership position — such as captain of a squad, club officer or class officer — for the remainder of the school year.

A second positive result would prohibit a student from participation in all athletics and extracurricular activities and from driving on campus for one full calendar year.

Before the random drug testing plan is implemented for the 2011-2012 school year, it must first be approved by the Escambia County School Board.

Comments

51 Responses to “Escambia County School District Considers Random Student Drug Testing”

  1. Teresa on April 11th, 2011 10:16 pm

    I am not in this school district (I am in Missouri), but my school district is considering the same thing. I think it is an invasion of privacy. My husband told me it was a national trend and I had to see for myself and here I am finding the same info nation wide. I still beleive that students using drugs are not going to pull the grades to participate. I have searched my children rooms, and their school lockers. They know I can show up at anytime just to verify where they are. I am not in this school district (I am in Missouri), but my school district is considering the same thing. I think it is an invasion of privacy. My husband told me it was a national trend and I had to see for myself and here I am finding the same info nation wide. I still believe that students using drugs are not going to pull the grades to participate. I have searched my children rooms, and their school lockers. They know I can show up at anytime just to verify where they are. I am a vigilante parent, but I do not need the school district to my job. Are parent getting lazy, or is the school district over stepping their boundaries? My family has stood up to drug dealer’s in the neighbor and dealt with shots fired in front of my house and three houses down. We have been on the local news with our fight. We will not hide, but we deal with our own children. What happened to education being the focus? I do not feel the schools have a place and I will home school if they decide to do random student drug testing. My 19 year old is going to Iraq to fight for this county and I also fight when rights are over stepped. Parent need to take ownership of what their children do and the school district needs to focus on their job of education. What is happening to this country that we let people pass rules and we are suppose to say “OK”. I am not “OK” with this.

  2. Mallory on March 21st, 2011 8:11 pm

    My daughter is a student at an Escambia Country Public School, and I DO NOT think this is a good idea. This past year she was admitted to the hospital for severe depression and anxiety. She’s tried her best to put it in the past, and random drug tests are absolutely going to destroy any hope left of that. I don’t want everyone to know about this, my daughter’s still on medication. It violates rights she has to privacy.

    Also, i believe parents should handle their child’s behaviors and decisions on their own; it’s not the school’s concern unless a student is selling or has drugs in their possession at school, or coming to school under the influence causing a disturbance.

  3. Concerned parent on December 13th, 2010 7:24 pm

    Let’s just say that your child is being treated for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Should the whole school know about it? You say no, but if this is implemented, the whole school WILL know. See, the school would have to send home a form for you to fill out that would list all the child’s medical and mental conditions along with the medications he/she is taking. This would have to be returned to the teacher (who would then know), then it would go to the front office (so the secretary, guidance counselors, deans and the student aides would know about it) and then it would go to the nurse (where more students and parent volunteers would see it). Wow, next thing you know, the entire student body knows about your child’s situation. Next they other kids will begin making fun of him/her. This is a serious breach of the HIPPAA laws. It is illegal.

    I can’t see this coming to any good. People need to open their eyes and think about things other than wondering if somebody’s kids are smoking weed. If they are, it’s the parents’ problem NOT the school’s unless that child is bringing it to school, giving or selling it to other kids or coming to school all messed up and causing a disruption.

  4. Are u Kidding on December 13th, 2010 8:57 am

    I totally agree with you, Concerned Parent! Well said that’s for sure!

  5. Concerned parent on December 12th, 2010 2:16 pm

    My children are MY responsibility and I will handle that the way I see fit. I know my kids are not on drugs because they are rarely out of my sight, only when at school and we have an open dialogue. I can tell you whose kids are and whose kids aren’t. I also know that my kids think drugs are stupid because their father is an addict and they absolutely are not HATE to be anywhere near him or his friends. They think the kids at school who do it are idiots. They have broken up friendships because of someone doing drugs. They have been involved in groups to raise drug awareness in other kids.

    However, I don’t think they should be testing my child or anyone else’s. That is the parents’ responsibility and it is not the school’s concern WHAT is or is not in my child’s system. It is none of their business what my child has to take nor is it yours. Once one member of the staff knows a child’s condition, you can rest assured that the rest will know soon after. Don’t even TRY to tell me that knowing a kid is being treated for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, etc will not affect the way he is treated by staff members and once the staff knows, it will only be a matter of time before the student body does also.

    NOT a good idea.

  6. marie on December 12th, 2010 12:42 pm

    I think half of pensacola needs to be drug tested.

  7. Angi B. on December 12th, 2010 11:18 am

    Personally, I think this is a wonderful idea; however I feel that they should pass this with all schools and not just the students that are into sports, I feel that all students and staff should be tested. And I also feel that this needs to be randomly done unexpected show up. What good does it do to tell the students and staff that the drug task force with K-9’s are coming? It’s like oh ok, well we’ll leave our drugs home today because they are coming, they’ll be gone tomorrow so we’ll bring them back then… I do not think this is a waste of tax payers money at all, as a matter of fact, I think they should have started this at all schools years ago. As far as someone refusing to take the test, that tells me that they must be scared that something is going to show up, if you haven’t done anything wrong then why worry???

  8. justme on December 12th, 2010 10:14 am

    I think all schools need this policy…..and for the parent of the 3 kids that may be sending them to the academy….do you REALLLY think there aren’t some types of drugs done at every school out there? It’s not the schools you have to woryy about, it’s the kids and there are kids of all kinds at all schools….wake up. sounds like from the comments I have read, a LOT of parents are against this…for what major reason, your kid may end up on the list? EVEN GOOD KIDS, people etc have been known to do some type of drugs, it’s not just for the poor, bad kids…..they can’t usually afford to buy them….helloooooooo?????

  9. Concerned parent on December 12th, 2010 9:15 am

    And think about all the money the kids who DON’T do anything will be making selling their urine to the kids who do. And the Psychedelic Shack will make a killing on their “cleansing products”. It will be no different than the people on probation/parole right now.

    This would be a huge waste of our time and money. Drag the kids out of class to take a drug test that isn’t going to tell you anything anyway. Wow, that makes so much sense I can’t believe we didn’t think of it sooner.The only thing it’s going to teach our kids is how to “beat the system”. That’s really going to be money well spent, huh? Morons!

  10. Reality on December 12th, 2010 4:43 am

    To all of the people thinking this unconstitutional baloney, that students in public schools should be subjected to “random” drug testing, would improve anything; think about this; your nieve. A urinalysis is a joke, quite frankly a 7 year-old could fool it. Trust me. And additionally, if this hog wash ever does develop into a part of daily life for the students I’d be willing to bet dimes and donuts within 1 year of the testing start date the school board drops the entire program due to the number of legal complications they become challenged with. Personally, to have graduated from Northview in 2002, after attending Bratt and Ernest Ward, as well as having both friends and relatives who currently teach or work at our 3 magnificent schools, my wife and I never so much as discussed our 3 children attending school elsewhere. However if this ridiculously stupid drug testing policy comes to be, well, Escambia Academy can add 3 to their student population.

  11. Concerned parent on December 11th, 2010 10:29 pm

    I still think it’s too intrusive. WHY do I have to tell the school that my child is taking medication for ADD/ADHD or depression or anxiety? That’s none of their business! Their business is to educate my child and keep him safe while in their care. It is NOT for his medical condition to be broadcast to all and sundry nor is it to worry about what he is doing when he is not at school. That is MY business and I will deal with it accordingly. If I want to test my child, I will either purchase a test from a pharmacy or I will take him to the doctor. The school has no business getting involved in my child’s medical care unless it is affecting his education.
    Keep your drug tests for your own kids. Leave mine alone.

  12. outtastate on December 11th, 2010 6:32 pm

    I live in another state but grew up in Cantonment. Our kids here are drug tested at random. For my 6th grader it started this year. It’s not singled out to athletes but ALL students grades 6-12. I live in a small community where drugs don’t seem to be a current problem nor have they in the past. Why? Because kids here know they will get busted eventually! First offense is counseling for the kid and parent. 2nd time is loss of extracurricular activities and liscense. 3rd time is reported to the county attorney, sheriff’s dept. , automatic loss of liscense till age 19 and school suspension followed with weekly testing. As parents we gladly sign the consent form at the beginning of every school year. It shows the school and parents working together for the better of the child. For kids who have ADAH/ADD and take med’s, they have a medical code on the student file and it’s not held againist them.

  13. JUDY MASEK on December 11th, 2010 10:47 am

    regarding the kid testing positive for drugs due to being on a doctors prescribed medication- every kid/parent, at the beginning of the year, should list all of their doctors prescribed medications that they take…and, of course, the list should updated throughout the year, as necessary…that would give administrators a full picture of why the positive results, should it come up…also, FYI…a true occurance: a pregnant mother was routinely drug tested as she entered the hospital to deliver her baby- much to her surprise, she came up positive for opiates and her newborn was subsequently removed from her care….come to find out, she tested positive because she had very recently eaten a muffin containing poppy seeds…(lawsuit is pending)…….ALL students should be subject to random drug testing….i think that would prove to be much more constitutional and leave the school board in less jeopardy of being sued for discrimination…i do like this hardline policy that is being proposed, though…the kids will adapt and if they dont- they will soon LEARN that they should have, when they had the opportunity…if parents were smart, instead of arguing that their child is being mistreated or that their constitutional rights are being infringed upon, they should realize that if the parents AND the school tackle this drug epidemic TOGETHER, with the same mindset- the kids will have no wiggle room to manipulate….and, in time..the MAJORITY of students will be the winners…any residual “hard-headed” kids can go get their GED when they finally wake up.

  14. Horrific! on December 11th, 2010 9:31 am

    WHAA…WHAA…WHAA…..

    HAVE YOU ALL BEEN READING THIS RAG ABOUT THE KIDS AND THE PARENTS HERE…..THE MURDERS, METH LABS., BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

    What is wrong with you ppl…why would you complain about something
    that would keep your kids clean of drugs and safe in your schools so
    the TEACHERS and the SCHOOL BOARD CAN concentrate on better
    education….

    ARE YOU ALL AFRAID THEIR GOING TO FIND SOMETHING ON YOUR
    PERFECT LITTLE DARLINGS.

    HEY if you took care of your kids and knew where they were and what
    they were doing….the school wouldn’t have to do any of this.

    IT’S YOUR FAULT KIDS WILL HAVE TO BE INCONVIENCED THIS WAY….
    TOO MANY OF YOU JUST AREN’T DOING YOUR JOBS.

    Like someone else stated ….better late than never….
    and I say TEST ALL OF THEM….ROOT THEM OUT AND CLEAN THEM UP
    WHILE THEY ARE SAVEABLE AND CAN HAVE A GOOD LIFE INSTEAD
    OF A LIFE OF PRISON……

  15. Kathy on December 11th, 2010 7:10 am

    Test all the students randomly. It isnt fair to single out the ones who are involved in sports, they arent the only ones who are driving to school!

  16. Big Chief on December 11th, 2010 5:27 am

    If we are going to test kids in school, why stop with the athletes and others involved in extracurricular activities.

    Why not test every kid who attends school, not just the ones who have the ambition to do something more than just go to class at school.

    How about testing the parents who drop their kids off at school and those who attend and support the extracurricular activities since they will be driving on campus.

    This would all be great except their little drug test still won’t catch those who are using the most abused drug in the United States. ALCOHOL!

    How about spending the money on educating all students on the dangers of drug use (including alcohol and cigarettes) instead of wasting the funds to catch a few?

    And lastly, much like Gov. Charlie Crist and the Jim Morrison pardon; doesn’t the school board have higher priorities given our recent FCAT results?

  17. Matchbox on December 11th, 2010 1:06 am

    we might as well be living in cuba or china, when are we going to stop letting our rights being taken away. The first people to have to take a drug test should be the people who are on government assistance, when that happens then maybe that may change my mind, What is next are they going to start coming to my house and drug testing me? We have got to take a stand somewhere, somehow. Before long all of our right will be taken away from us “for our own good”. Im grown and can make informed decisions on what to do and do not need anyone tellling me what i can and can not do in my own home. When will it stop? How far are we going to let it go?

  18. Kathy on December 10th, 2010 11:49 pm

    I THINK THIS IS A SPLENDID AND FABULOUS IDEA!!!!!! I wish they would have adopted this rule 2 years ago when my kids were in school. You will be surprised how may kids out there are doing drugs as an every day activity. HUH!!!!! And yes, parents are very naive, and will not follow through with the drug testing and I think the school district will. Yeah!!!!!!

  19. so on December 10th, 2010 10:48 pm

    School is becoming ridiculous. You’ve got random drug dogs coming in, book bags at the front of the rooms, cars being searched, you’re not even allowed to have something as simple as a piece of candy or sucker in class, and now you want random drug tests? Sounds more like some form of prison than a school. You’re going to make kids not want to come to school. More drop outs people. I mean, I’m all for the ones doing drugs getting busted, but you can totally go about it all in a different manner. Rules are good for structure and all, but these people making these things up are crossing the line. So glad this is my last year of high school and dealing with crap like this!

  20. Just me.... on December 10th, 2010 10:46 pm

    Has anyone thought about most likely which students will be affected by this? I will bet that the majority of students that would have an issue with this test would have no problem just quitting school! With that in mind, I only see this test pushing more students away from school (including activities) and into the “grown up” world where they will begin to feel more stress and therefore result in more drug use.

  21. huh on December 10th, 2010 8:44 pm

    The problem is they want to test all students, not just those in sports.

    I feel those in sports being tested = ok because they have choice to play or not play

    But it can’t be legal to randomly force students to take a test.

    And to make things worse, where will the money come from and time to do all of this? Why cant this be invested in teaching and materials instead?

  22. Concerned parent on December 10th, 2010 8:28 pm

    Do you all realize that if your child takes medication for ADD/ADHD he or she will test positive for methamphetamines? There are also perfectly legal and needed medications that will cause a positive result. Can you imagine having to go to the school and pitch a fit because your child’s test says that he/she is using drugs when they really aren’t? Talk about a lawsuit from hell.

    Personally, I don’t think it’s right but I don’t think drug testing in the workplace is right either simply because I don’t think we have the right to tell someone what he or she can do in their own time. As long as they are not doing the drugs while they are working or coming in to work under the influence, then it’s not my business what they are doing.

    I really wish there were no drugs at all, but as long as mankind exists, there will be. In the meantime, we need to stay out of it.

    It is the parents’ responsibility to deal with whatever their child is doing. Some will shirk that duty, but it is still theirs.

    Now, if they were to test at doctor appointments and it had nothing to do with the schools and the doctor discussed the issue with the child AND parents and came up with a plan to deal with the situation, I would gladly support that BUT I don’t think drug testing has any place in a school.

  23. Carl on December 10th, 2010 7:06 pm

    Unbelievable, first the school system tells us that if your child asks like a child we must medicate them. Can’t have them acting like kids. Now that they are all medicated your going to drug test them. Make up your mind Escambia County School Board.

  24. Louise on December 10th, 2010 4:48 pm

    And I also believe individual athletic constitutions prohibit the use of drugs. It was in my daughters handout!!!

  25. Serious on December 10th, 2010 3:53 pm

    I dont mind my kids getting tested bc if there is nothing to hide,why worry? In my opinion there is nothing illegal about this.Yes,i am sure the schools could be doing other positive things but look at it this way,How many kids are doing drugs these days?(plenty) That does not make you a bad parent or make your child be a bad kid,he or she just made a bad choice.I know i work-and very hard and i must say that i cannot watch my kids and their friends all day and night.No matter what teach a child,he or she is going to stray away and have a mind of their own.Some parents are worried about what if it gets out that their child is on drugs.Well the love i have my kids is i rather get help and be ashamed now rather 2-3years down the line be hurt and ashame bc my child killed or raped someone or worse.A lot of things are happening around us and we all need to be aware and come together.I do think if the child is posivite that information should be keep between the school and the parents.Some kids even drink before going to school or at school.What happened to “save the children”. Stop blaming the teachers,principles and other staff memembers. Us e this method instead,,,Pray about it,take the test, hope for the best, and move on to the next step.

  26. Chumuckla Proud on December 10th, 2010 3:43 pm

    It’s a great idea. Parent who object are afraid of what the test may reveal. The truth hurts.

  27. no longer in Bratt... on December 10th, 2010 3:38 pm

    Why would someone be against this? One would think that those who would test positve—would be the ones against this.

    Rights?—noone has the right to do drugs.
    Playing school sports is a priviledge—and has responsibilities.
    Responsibilities include–keeping up your grades, practice and keeping your body free from drugs and alcohol.

    My kids school (Birmingham area) have practiced random drug tests for years. My job has random drug tests also.
    My thoughts…don’t do something illegal and you have nothing to fear.

  28. David Huie Green on December 10th, 2010 2:48 pm

    REGARDING:
    ” by law the kids have to go to school”

    It’s the optional activities which would be cut out under this proposal.

    David for drug-free chess players.

  29. Louise on December 10th, 2010 2:42 pm

    I cant imagine anyone having a problem with this. I am a parent of a high school student, who is involved in sports. If my child was tested positive, then I could get my child the help they need now instead of 10-15 years down the road or in some cases to late. I also agree with testing if you are driving/parking at school. The helps to improve school safety for other students.

    We have so many parents who just simply make excuses for thier childrens decisions with no consequences and some parents dont take an active enough roll in thier childrens owns education. Then want to blame the teachers.

    TO RIVER RAT….I bet you would surprised at how many kids that are “trying to do something with thier lives” are mixed up in drugs.

  30. huh on December 10th, 2010 2:21 pm

    I’m perfectly fine with kids that play sports being tested. I think thats reasonable, they have a choice to play or not. But forcing all students to take it, can’t be legal

    Its very different from applying for a job , where you get paid, and for insurance reasons , they dont want you on drugs, its reasonable

    I’ve never heard of any other public school doing this, if it were a private school it might be different.

    It just seems like its going to open up a lot of problems and lawsuits. What about false positives? If the school kicks you out due to a false positive drug test result, they could be sued for slander and ruining that kids name

    This can’t legally stand , by law the kids have to go to school, so this would be saying by law the local government is forcing them to take drug tests. Whats next, dna samples? Pat downs and body scanners? Thats not the type of school I want my children going to

  31. AL on December 10th, 2010 2:04 pm

    I find it frightening how many people say “let kids be kids”…. so what if they drive, ride motorcycles, play football, etc while they are under the influence. “It isn’t the school’s business if my sweet angel is on drugs while under their care”

    Implement it yesterday.

  32. NHS student on December 10th, 2010 1:21 pm

    You can’t take us from our activites, clubs, and sports. We have the right to say “NO” and no questions about it!
    Thank you.

  33. AJ on December 10th, 2010 1:07 pm

    As a teacher, I think I might need to educate some of the parents on here who have posted. Teachers ARE required to drug test. You have to take a drug test to get hired, and at any time authorities can ask you to drug test. On our contract it states that if we refuse a drug test, we will be terminated.

    Education begins in the home. Yes, your son or daughter just may very well be doing drugs, but obviously you haven’t been able to stop it. Quit blaming the teachers, we’re not the ones getting high!

    And as coach, I think athletes should get tested. I don’t want to take an athlete out of town that might have drugs in his suitcase.

    Quit trying to be your kid’s friend! Be a parent!!!!

  34. David Huie Green on December 10th, 2010 12:49 pm

    collect annoymous samples from the urinals

    if a problem shows up, worry then

    David for better living through plumbing

  35. WOOOOOW on December 10th, 2010 12:26 pm

    WOOOOOW
    This is really going to far. Schools already have drug dogs that come to the campuses. Now if they want to be safer with this they could send drug dogs to every class, not just a few. But seriously, the drug tests are a little too far. I believe that parents should be the ones to do this with their children, not the school. Teenagers are in this expieremental phase now. This just isn’t that right. It is going to far now.

  36. Joey McCall on December 10th, 2010 12:06 pm

    This is not necessarily a bad idea. It has been proven that we have plenty of drug problems at our public schools, and NHS is not immune to the problem. As a matter of fact we seen it just a few weeks ago NHS. In team sports, you have to rely on the individual next to you to be 100% alert and physically capable of performing the assignment. If he/she isn’t, your safety is at risk. It’s no different than when you go out into the work force either. Your safety depends upon the person you are working with and next to. Also, I haven’t researched this, but I wonder how many school shootings over the past ten years have been attributed to some kind of substance abuse or homelife issue?

    To “huh”, the requirements set forth in this proposal are just like they are in any industry that requires random drug screening. You refuse the screening, then it is assumed your guilty. As for the ACLU, they haven’t been able to touch this one when it is done right.

    To some of the others who think the school board should leave it to the parents,,, I agree and that would work if all parents would do it. But if you have been involved at all with children or teenagers for the last ten or fifteen years you would know that a large percentage of parents are giving absolutely no guidance to their kids about life changing matters such as this. And discipline (I am not talking about verbal or physical abuse), that is almost non existant at home anymore. Not to forget however, that there will always be a small percentage of kids who do wrong and stray from The Truth no matter how well they have been taught at home.

    It’s a shame that it has come down to the School Board trying to police so many social issues in order to maintain the safety and security of our kids. But that is exactly what happens when parental responsibility is neglected and grandparents, little league coaches, sunday school teachers, and the teachers at school have to fill the void left by many of todays self serving parents.

  37. Are u Kidding on December 10th, 2010 11:45 am

    I’m not fooling myself! Like I said before a waste of our tax money!!!! I don’t do drugs, Gerry if you really need to know. I am an adult and I work hard for what I have, and I have to take random drug tests for my job just like most. I think before they decide on drug testing kids to play sports they need to drug test all the people on welfare, spitting out kids left and right, collecting their checks all the time that us people that make an honest living pay for!!! That’s what I am saying.

  38. Michele G on December 10th, 2010 11:04 am

    Replying to huh

    Teachers do have to submit to drug testing!

  39. Oversight on December 10th, 2010 9:47 am

    Are u kidding: You’re only fooling yourself if you think that this is a wasted effort by the school district. By the way, I think it is a great idea! William, how many students have been caught with the school district’s drug dog program this year? These numbers alone will tell you that there is a drug problem with students in our schools.

  40. JUDY MASEK on December 10th, 2010 9:27 am

    i agree with the intent of this proposed policy..however, i think that it needs to be tweeked and gone over w/a fine toothed comb by a very good lawyer who is well versed in constitutional law…as far as letting parents handle their own drug testing efforts on their kids, (and NOT the school) well…kids are smart/conniving and parents are often lax…or maybe just uninformed and too trusting….there is no reason that concerned parents cant randomly test their kids, as they desire, right now..is there?…and, then what?..what if their kid does test positive?…will the parents follow through with meaningful consequences, or professional counseling, rehab?…maybe the school should, in addition to this potential new policy, explore offering a counseling initiative to parents on preforming their own random drug testing on their kid and then, what to EFFECTIVELY do next- maybe the parent doesnt know the best thing to do or what options are available….i think that giving the parent this written option would help alley their possible feelings of encroachment from the school over their control of their kid….it would help to demonstrate that the school is viewing the problems SOLUTION as a “joint” effort between the school and the parent…thats how it should be anyway….btw, i think that most kids know about certain OTC pills or concoctions that they can take to try to neutralize these drug tests….just another item that parents may need education on…but, earlier awareness and intervention, by the parents, may be just the thing that saves the parents from a WHOLE lot of anguish later on.

  41. Gerry Dumenkoffen on December 10th, 2010 9:07 am

    This cannot be implemented immediatly. That means you have time to quit so you will not test positive! OHH ,you do not want to quit! I get it now.

  42. Are u Kidding on December 10th, 2010 8:53 am

    This is just a waste of our tax money. Let the kids be kids! Drug tests at schools are ridiculous. I cannot believe they would even think about doing something like this. Let alone doing it. You need to be out there drug testing all these welfare Moms and Dads. What a waste of money.

  43. River Rat on December 10th, 2010 8:25 am

    I think the kids that are the trouble makers should be the ones tested for drugs!
    The group they are targeting are at least trying to do something with their lives.
    Why not test the teachers? I think they would be able to weed out a bunch of bad teachers.

  44. haley on December 10th, 2010 8:25 am

    This is great…

  45. Oldman on December 10th, 2010 7:48 am

    1970 would have been a good year to start, better late than never.

  46. ok on December 10th, 2010 7:46 am

    I say the school should focus more on the education and let the parents focus on raising their children, and that includes teaching children responsibility in all aspects of life, including drugs and alcohol.
    And by the way, don’t they already have drug dogs that continually search the schools anyway?
    I say they are really going too far with all of this. I think if they wanted to help, they should offer counseling for those students who are concerned about, or have a problem with drugs, instead of embarrasing them in front of the entire school and county. Which, in some cases can even cause the child, who may already be depressed, to stoop to lower levels of depression and do something crazy to themselves or someone else. Be on their side if you want to help. But, by forcing, and it is FORCING, them, they are more likely to rebell, thinking you’re against them.

  47. Michele G on December 10th, 2010 6:38 am

    GOOD! Santa Rosa needs to follow suit!!

  48. Christopher Maloney on December 10th, 2010 6:16 am

    I would like to know more about this. Was a study done that recommends having random drug test? Do other school districts have a similar policy? Are college atheletes drug tested (Division 1, 2, 3)?

  49. less big brother, NOT MORE!!!!!!! on December 10th, 2010 4:45 am

    Dear Escambia County School Board,

    Stop wasting our tax dollars on such unnecessary nonsense and focus on a plan to improve the quality of the education your teachers should be providing.

    I know I would be highly disappointed if my children brought home a report card comparible to the report card your district just received; and I highly doubt that this was a result of our student athletes using drugs.

    So focus on your responsibities (education) and we parents will take care of our responsibility (drug testing our kids if WE deem necessary!!!!

  50. huh on December 10th, 2010 1:54 am

    “If a student refuses to participate in a random drug test, it will be considered a positive result.”

    What? This is insane, looks like a job for the ACLU

    I have no problem if its about sports only, but telling everyone they cant park without being tested is nuts. Will the teachers and staff submit to the same tests? Will the results be made available?

    Its not a prison , its a school, why cant they spend the money on education instead ? I wish they would invest more time in teaching.

    I dont see how parking on campus entitles them legally to drug test you or claim its a positive result if you refuse.

    Lets say you refuse, so they say its positive, then what? you will be arrested? For a test you refused to take?

  51. AL on December 10th, 2010 1:24 am

    Great idea!!! Some Tate athletes just shivered in their cleats