PITMAN STUDENTS SPEAK OUT AGAINST DRUG TESTING PLAN

PITMAN -- A group of 20 high school students opposing a proposal that would require random drug testing for student athletes addressed its concerns to the Pitman Board of Education Tuesday night.

"With this policy, you are guilty until proven innocent," said Mark Arnone, 17, who does not compete in any varsity sports.  "They are holding athletes to a higher standard and saying that they are automatically guilty until they pass a drug test proving their innocence."

Wayne Murschell, athletic director at the high school, presented the 31-page proposal to the board.  It was formulated by a 17-member committee made up of administrators, teachers, students and parents.  Murschell said the committee voted unanimously to recommend implementation of the program.

A vote on the proposal was made after more than an hour of discussion.  Results of the vote came in too late for this edition.

If implemented, the board would have to decide on what percentage of student athletes to test next year.  Princeton Laboratories would administer the tests at the school based on a random number system.  Murschell said the tests would cost the district approximately $18 apiece.

"Our entire goal is to give the young people in our school system an automatic out," Murschell said.  "When they go to parties and are offered drugs, 'No, I might get tested on Monday or Tuesday' could be a response.  We want them to have an opportunity to say no."

Students speaking during the public hearing disagreed.

Arnone, the junior class treasurer, cited a study done by the University of Michigan that concluded that random testing of students does not deter drug use.

"Just because other schools do this doesn't mean it's the best policy for Pitman High School," Arnone said.  "I think we need to find other ways to deter drug use."

Board Vice President Jeffrey Jones echoed Arnone's comments when he said he couldn't see the justification of implementing a policy that doesn't have a proven track record.

"To me the clincher of it is that we all have deep concerns of the impact drugs has on our kids," Jones said.  "But I can't find one comprehensive study that says random drug testing is the way to go.  Why should we enter into this if it doesn't produce the results we are looking for?"

Board President Gail Todd acknowledged that random testing may be a first step toward addressing drug abuse, but said it should be made a community issue.  Todd also shared Arnone's concern in saying that the proposal does not address potential alternatives.

"We need to have strong community support in order to move forward," Todd said.  "I would like to see us step together in a coordinated fashion."

The district currently has a policy that requires drug testing when a teacher suspects a student of being under the influence in school.

Cherie Lombardo, high school principal, said two students have been tested during the current school year under this policy.  Both tests came back positive.

Murschell said there were "red flags" that led to the decision to form the committee to explore random testing a year and a half ago.  He stressed that the policy would not be punitive in nature and would not be meant as an attack on athletes.

Board member Joseph Martin Jr.  said the effort would be worth it if one student were kept from using drugs.

"If we spend $1,000 a year and it saves one life then it is worth it," Martin said.  "If this stops them from taking the risk and doing the right thing we've accomplished our purpose."

Tests administered would focus on recreational drug use of marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy.  Testing for performance enhancing drugs such as steroids would be too expensive, Murschell said.

"It may appear we are targeting athletes but that is not the case," he said.  "We are doing what the law allows, which is the random testing of student athletes."

Eleven districts statewide currently have random testing policies in place, according to data compiled by the New Jersey School Boards Association.  All but one only apply only to student athletes.  Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Hunterdon County extends testing to other extra curricular activities and those with parking privileges.

Washington Township, Clearview Regional and West Deptford school districts have policies in place locally.