The Program

When FHSD’s drug testing system was established in 2007-08 school year, it was seen as more of a deterrent program than one designed to bust students with drugs in their system. Now, five years later, many view the program successful in its intended purpose though there are many who believe it’s not as effective as possible. “The kids we catch violating policy are those not in the drug testing pool,” Principal Dr. Darlene Jones said. “The kids who get caught at school are the ones under the influence or someone says they tried to sell them something. Kids in the pool hardly get caught.” To be in the FHSD drug testing pool, students sign a drug testing consent form at the beginning of the year if they plan to participate in a sport or club or drive to school. “I feel that it is a good program in the way it can give students a way to say ‘no’,” Director of Student Services Dr. Jennifer Patterson said. “We want our student athletes and those driving to school safe and drug-free.”

The Stats

Randomly testing eight students a week in the three high schools for five years has brought back 158 positive tests, four percent of the tested students. However, in the past three school years, 78 students have been caught either while under the influence or with possession of drugs at school just at North. “They’re more in the spotlight, they hang out with the party kids and feel they have to do what everyone else is to keep their reputation,” senior Hallie Mitchum said. Looking into information, FHSD found 97 percent of students who had hearings for being caught with drugs or under the  influence at school were not attached to the school through activities. “Our kids that are attached to the school and involved, those are not the kids in possession or under the influence,” Patterson said.

Is it working?

According to a survey of 215 students conducted at North last school year, about 26 percent of students at FHN have tried an illegal drug at least once. Also according to the same survey, about 25 percent of these 215 students have been drug tested before. “After they get tested, it makes them think twice,” senior Katie Busby said. “It might get them kicked out of things they care about in school.” Many students don’t view the drug testing system as a deterrent or prevention of any type. Even despite being drug tested before, some students say they don’t consider the program or how their sport or club participation or driving privileges may be revoked when they’re about to do drugs. On the opposing side, there are many who believe drug tests are present in the school and helps students think twice. “If the previous time they tested positive, obviously test them again,” senior Rachel Kramer said. “If they’re clear, don’t test them again. If it was a ‘random sample,’ it’d be a wider variety, but clearly since it’s not, it’s not.”