School Board Continues Random Drug Testing Debate

The ongoing debate of whether or not to implement random drug testing at Lake Zurich High School (LZHS) was addressed at a special committee of the whole meeting last night.

School Board President Kathy Brown said Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 administrators were asked to draft policy and procedures for a random drug testing program. Three procedures and "code of conduct" drafts were discussed last night: a draft procedure on hair testing; a draft procedure on urine testing; and a "code of conduct" with consequences for random drug testing.

As stated in all the drafts considered last night, mandatory random drug testing would be for LZHS students who choose to participate in extracurricular activities like athletics or clubs. Students who park on school grounds could also be subject to random drug testing.

The board asked whether or not they could include everyone in random testing.

“Legally we can’t broaden the group of students tested, only those in extracurricular activities and ‘parkers’ can be tested,” explained Brown.

According to Rolando Vazquez, LZHS athletic director, 1,100 students would be subject to random testing if the policy is approved. That figure does not include students who park on school grounds.

It is proposed that the district test 15 students, or 10% of the eligible students, six times a year.

The board debated about the timing of the tests and whether or not they would interfere with class time.

“We could do our best to try and avoid it interfering with classes, but it may take a student an hour and half to produce a sample,” said Barbara Belke, district 95 Student Assistance Program (SAP) coordinator.

The issue of confidentiality for students was also addressed. Vazquez explained that when ISHA came in and did steroid testing, everyone was called in and tested at the same time.

The draft policy was written to reflect confidentiality.

“We have every intention of administering testing one at a time,” said Belke.

The board did not decide which type of test - hair or urine - was the best route. If the board decides to go with hair testing, which costs $37 per student, they would also have to hire a licensed hair dresser at about $25 an hour to cut about 50 strands of hair from each student. The hair would then be sent to a lab.

Hair testing can go back 90 days of drug history and takes 48 hours for a result.

If the board decides to go with urine testing, they also have to decide whether to have it administered at school by the SAP coordinator, which would cost $2.25 per test with instantaneous results, or have it sent out for an additional cost and get results in 24 hours.

The urine test taken at LZHS would be a four-part panel that would test for marijuana, cocaine, opiates (including heroin) and methamphetamine (including ecstasy).

“Hair testing is a less intrusive test,” said Doug Goldberg, board vice president.

A parent would be contacted should their child be chosen to be tested. If the student’s test came back positive, the parents would be immediately notified by telephone and certified mail.

Each offense would involve a suspension of privileges, per the "code of conduct." An option to reduce the suspension would include engaging in a drug and alcohol assessment with the SAP coordinator, participation in the high school's alcohol and drug program Pathways or similar program, and to follow an individually-developed program approved by the SAP coordinator.

The board also discussed the possibility of a student testing positive due to prescription drugs.

“What if they are taking pain medication for an injury and it shows up on the urine test as positive, what do we do,” asked Board Member Mike Finn.

The board agreed to give the student and parent two school attendance days to produce a prescription or a phone call from a doctor.

Brown requested that another survey be sent out to parents.

“Some of the details we’ve discussed are going to sway people one way or another,” said Brown.

The board agreed to take another look at the draft policies at the next board meeting in August. They also agreed to also discuss another survey at the meeting and a date to hold a town hall meeting possibly in October.

“I would encourage everyone to look at the data out there and make a data-driven decision,” said Goldberg.

What do parents have to say about this issue? What do you think about random drug testing at LZHS? Read more and share your thoughts.