Many Jackson students may face random drug-testing

If two Jackson High School officials are successful, a random drug-testing policy for students in grades 9 through 12 will go into effect by the time classes begin in August.

School-board members are considering the proposal and may approve it at their next regularly scheduled meeting July 12.

Travis Wilson, an assistant principal at the high school, is leading the effort with athletic director John Martin. He said it’s meant mainly as a deterrent for students in extracurricular activities who might be tempted to try illegal drugs.

“We’re interested in providing the opportunity for kids to say no,” Wilson said.

Although it isn’t legal to require all students to be tested randomly, he said, they can become part of the testing pool voluntarily or when they choose to join groups sanctioned by the Missouri State High School Activities Association, or MSHSAA.

That means any student involved in sports or activities such as scholar bowl, speech and debate, dance team, music or cheerleading would be subject to the testing.

Anyone testing positive would be suspended from those activities and educated about why taking drugs is unhealthy.

If the proposal is approved, a third-party organization will be chosen to select participants randomly throughout the year, with a goal of testing 25 percent to 50 percent of them. Testing would be conducted through a 12-panel urinalysis.

“There might be kids in the pool who are never tested all year long,” Wilson said.

Because students won’t know when they will be tested until they’re called to the high school’s main office, it’s in their best interest to steer clear of drug activity if they want to remain on their teams. If they are invited to experiment with drugs, they’ll have a valid excuse for saying no.

“If you don’t have this, then what do you say? We’re giving kids an out. Then they can save face,” Wilson said.

Disciplinary numbers from the district indicate drug offenses are minimal at Jackson High School, with eight reported in 2015-2016, nine in 2014-15 and 17 in 2013-2014. But Wilson said the school and the community are not immune to such problems.

Since he joined the district five years ago, Wilson said he has recognized the need for a policy such as the one being proposed.

That’s why he and others approached superintendent John Link about the issue in January. Link asked Wilson and Martin to form a committee to come up with a policy they could present to the board.

“For years, (the issue) was just kind of there, and we couldn’t do anything about it,” Wilson said.

ljones@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3652

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Who would be drug-tested?

Jackson High School students participating in these groups could be tested randomly for drugs if a new policy is adopted for 2016-2017:

• Baseball
• Boys and girls basketball
• Cheerleading
• Boys and girls cross country
• Dance team
• Football
• Golf
• Music activities
• Scholar bowl
• Boys and girls soccer
• Softball
• Speech and debate
• Boys and girls swimming and diving
• Tennis
• Track and field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Information provided by Jackson High School assistant principal Travis Wilson