Kennett school board considers random drug testing for students

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett School Board adjourned almost immediately Tuesday night into closed executive session to discuss two student disciplinary measures. About 20 minutes later, the board resumed in open session to discuss regular session items.

Among those items was a request by Deb Cook, the director of health services for the district, that the board consider pursuing a random drug testing policy and a performance enhancing supplement ban policy.

Cook asserted that "drug use is related to discipline problems and academic success in school and attempting to keep a check on drug use at the school would be in the best interests of the students."

In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that a mandatory random drug testing program for all students participating in extracurricular activities was a reasonably effective means of meeting a school district's concerns regarding detecting, determining and preventing illegal drug use by students. Still, the legal debate over what constitutes a "legal" random drug testing program and performance enhancing supplement ban continues.

Board members discussed possible challenges the district might face by implementing a random drug testing policy and a performance enhancing supplement ban policy. While acknowledging that both policies should be ideas the board pursues, the legal, financial and privacy issues the district might encounter were also considered.

Cook suggested the financial cost to the district might approach $500 each time the random drug test was performed. If there were three tests per year, she said, the program would cost the district around $1,500.

Opinion varies concerning whether random drug tests are effective. One study performed by Joseph R. McKinney, a professor at Ball State University, suggests that "random drug testing policies appear to provide a strong tool for schools to use in the battle to reduce alcohol and drug usage among teens."

The board requested that Cook return at a future meeting to provide more detailed information regarding the programs she would recommend to the district.