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Some favor, others oppose drug testing at Elfrida high school
By Xavier Zaragoza/Wick Communications
Elfrida--In this small farming community of white corn and green chili fields 25 miles north of Douglas, a few parents and school board members are pushing for a drug-testing program for its high school students, albeit with some resistance.
For nearly a year Richard Humphries, an Elfrida resident and former Department of Public Safety officer, has fought to have the program implemented at Valley Union High School, a rural school of about 180 students.
But each time it went before the school board, the issue was either tabled or ignored, he said.
The long fight, though, may be paying off. Although the item was tabled once again at a June 10 school board meeting, the issue was met with less resistance, he said.
"This program will act as a preventative; it's not meant to catch anyone nor will it involve the police," Humphries said.
Drug testing as a preventative measure struck home for Humphries when his oldest daughter, a VUHS student at the time, confessed she had used marijuana. By then he suspected something was wrong, for she was around too many undesirable friends, he said.
With the clarity of hindsight and his youngest daughter soon entering as a freshman at VUHS, he wants to create a safe environment not only for her but also for the rest of the students.
The program has been embraced by school board members such as Richard Searle, whose goal is to protect the students from drugs.
"The program gives students a big reason to say no to drugs, not only because of the random testing, but also because by not participating in the program, they exclude themselves from extracurricular activities, Searle said.
School board member Paul White said the drug-testing proposal has been sent to the Arizona School Board Association. The school is now waiting for their response.
"From there we'll know how to approach it and in what direction the program will take," White said.
After lengthy discussions with opponents of the drug-testing program, they declined to comment; other opponents of the program did not return repeated calls made by The Daily Dispatch.
A Non-Punitive Program
If the program is approved, the testing would be applied randomly across the student population; and, more importantly to the founders of the program, there would be no disciplinary action taken against the offending student.
The student would be simply removed from participating in extracurricular activities.
Although popular definition of extracurricular activities is typically described as school-sponsored organizations such as the yearbook, school newspaper, student government, academic and athletic competitions, drama and music, the school has introduced a more far-reaching definition.
Should the student test positive on the test, he would not be allowed to drive or park a personal vehicle on school property or even park near the school for the purpose of attending school. It would also exclude the student from riding to school on the bus.
Students in extracurricular activities are required to sign a consent form. If they fail the test, they are removed from all activities.
The student will be referred for counseling and to participate in other measures that will promote the student's rehabilitation. It will include parental involvement too.
"This gives them a reason to say no," Humphries said. "If someone offers a student drugs, he can say 'If I do drugs' I'll be taken off athletics or drama.'"
The Fight Continues
Marijuana is the drug of choice at VUHS, with some cocaine use, Humphries said. His biggest fear is that these drugs might be the gateway for other, more dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine.
"The drug testing program will go a long way toward minimizing the use of drugs by the students," he said.
In July the program will be up for review at the school board meeting. For School Board member White, the program is not only needed, he is also very hopeful that one will be implemented within the next two months.
"If it can save just one person, the program is worth it," White said.
For nearly a year Richard Humphries, an Elfrida resident and former Department of Public Safety officer, has fought to have the program implemented at Valley Union High School, a rural school of about 180 students.
But each time it went before the school board, the issue was either tabled or ignored, he said.
The long fight, though, may be paying off. Although the item was tabled once again at a June 10 school board meeting, the issue was met with less resistance, he said.
"This program will act as a preventative; it's not meant to catch anyone nor will it involve the police," Humphries said.
Drug testing as a preventative measure struck home for Humphries when his oldest daughter, a VUHS student at the time, confessed she had used marijuana. By then he suspected something was wrong, for she was around too many undesirable friends, he said.
With the clarity of hindsight and his youngest daughter soon entering as a freshman at VUHS, he wants to create a safe environment not only for her but also for the rest of the students.
The program has been embraced by school board members such as Richard Searle, whose goal is to protect the students from drugs.
"The program gives students a big reason to say no to drugs, not only because of the random testing, but also because by not participating in the program, they exclude themselves from extracurricular activities, Searle said.
School board member Paul White said the drug-testing proposal has been sent to the Arizona School Board Association. The school is now waiting for their response.
"From there we'll know how to approach it and in what direction the program will take," White said.
After lengthy discussions with opponents of the drug-testing program, they declined to comment; other opponents of the program did not return repeated calls made by The Daily Dispatch.
A Non-Punitive Program
If the program is approved, the testing would be applied randomly across the student population; and, more importantly to the founders of the program, there would be no disciplinary action taken against the offending student.
The student would be simply removed from participating in extracurricular activities.
Although popular definition of extracurricular activities is typically described as school-sponsored organizations such as the yearbook, school newspaper, student government, academic and athletic competitions, drama and music, the school has introduced a more far-reaching definition.
Should the student test positive on the test, he would not be allowed to drive or park a personal vehicle on school property or even park near the school for the purpose of attending school. It would also exclude the student from riding to school on the bus.
Students in extracurricular activities are required to sign a consent form. If they fail the test, they are removed from all activities.
The student will be referred for counseling and to participate in other measures that will promote the student's rehabilitation. It will include parental involvement too.
"This gives them a reason to say no," Humphries said. "If someone offers a student drugs, he can say 'If I do drugs' I'll be taken off athletics or drama.'"
The Fight Continues
Marijuana is the drug of choice at VUHS, with some cocaine use, Humphries said. His biggest fear is that these drugs might be the gateway for other, more dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine.
"The drug testing program will go a long way toward minimizing the use of drugs by the students," he said.
In July the program will be up for review at the school board meeting. For School Board member White, the program is not only needed, he is also very hopeful that one will be implemented within the next two months.
"If it can save just one person, the program is worth it," White said.
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