Pro+(for)

=**Random Drug Testing Is Necessary and Does Not Violate Students**=

=**Mandatory Drug Testing Programs Protect Students**=
 * 1) "Drug testing in a workplace, in schoolsand in professional athletics is usually done by a three step process: (1) an intial screening testthat if positive (2) is confirmed by an alternate technology (and) (3) (its) the final results (are) reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO), a physician **trained** in drug testing and substance abuse."
 * 2) "Drug testing begins with a collection of a urine, saliva or hair specimen. The chain of custody of the specimen must be **protected**. Chain of Custody is the documentation of the specimen collection and then safe handling of the specimen from collection to analysis."
 * 3) "Positive results should be reviewed by a MRO...who will **consult with the student and the student's parents** if the test is positive to determine if the drug use was legitimate...or...illegitimate."
 * 4) "The results should be kept **confidential**..."
 * 5) "89% of the principals believe that the drug-testing program undermines the effects of peer pressure by providing a legitimate reason to refuse to use illegal drugs and alcohol."
 * 6) "In fact, students report that drug testing gives them a reason to say "no" to drugs and still be "cool" with the other students."
 * 7) "A recent study in Indiana Schools by Joesph R. McKinney, J.D., Ed.D., Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at Ball State University, demonstrates the effectiveness of student random drug testing."
 * 8) "Ninety-four high schools were identified. 83 high school principals responed to the survey. The principlas were asked to contrast substance abuse activity during 1999-2000...when drug policies were in effect with the 2000-2001...when schools were not permitted."
 * 9) "85% of the high shcool principlas reported an increase in either drug usage or alcohol usage after the drug testing program was stopped..."
 * 10) "83% reported their answers...based on information recieved directly from students. 79% said their answers were based on information from teachers and staff. 59% of the information came from formal survey of students..."
 * 11) "...352 students were either suspended or expelled for drug-or alcohol-related incidents during the 1999-2000 school year but during the 2000-2001...without the drug-testing program that there were 518 drug-or alcohol-related suspenions/expulsions.
 * 12) "According to date obtained in 2006 by the Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, over 51 percent of high school students and over 20 percent of middle school students attend shools where grugs are readily available. A 2005 study conducted by the Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) found that as many as 68 percent of high school seniors report alcohol use and over 38 percent report drug use."

"For those students hoping to particpate in sports at the collegiate or professional level, drug testing will be a fact of life. Student drug testing helps introduce younger students to the idea that it is their responsibility to remain drug free if they want to participate in activities that are offered as a privilege by the school system." "...drug testing allows parents and teachers to intervene and help students who have already begun using drugs. Once a student has failed a drug test, most participating schools utilize an educational program that gets parents involved and seeks to promote safe alternatives to drug use and strategies for dealing with addiction." "...schools be allowed to utilize any effective method of identifying students with problems and thereby stage an effective intervention." "Drug testing is a deterrent and prevents many childern from experimenting with drugs. Those subjected to drug testing may serve as a role models for the rest of the student body, stimulating a trend of restraint rather than experimentation. Drug testing also allows teachers and parents to identify children with drug problems and to help students obtain the education and treatment necessary to prevent future drug use." "Testing students engaged in activites helps to create a system of peer leadership, which can spread to other students."
 * 1) "According to date obtained in 2006 by the Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, over 51 percent of high school students and over 20 percent of middle school students attend shools where grugs are readily available. A 2005 study conducted by the Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) found that as many as 68 percent of high school seniors report alcohol use and over 38 percent report drug use."
 * 1) "The issue of drug testing in public schools gained prominence in the 1990s, as a number of school districts implemented drug-testing programs for student athletes."
 * 2) "...a school district in Pottawatomie County, Iwoa instituted a drug testing policy for students involved in voluntary, extracurricular activites. The parents of Leslie Earl brought a suit against the school system and the case eventually went before the Supreme Court. In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled that students who participate in any voluntary, school-sponsored activities, including academic activites, could be subject to drug testing. The decsion was important because it increased the range of acceptable drug testing to include students involved in any extracurricular activity."