Farwell school district adopts drug testing

Staff Writer

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Farwell Independent School District faces both praise and criticism after introducing a mandatory drug-testing policy for students.

Superintendent Kelly Lusk said after more than a year of planning, the school board approved random drug testing at the high school, effective to open the school year.

The policy says students in school-sponsored extracurricular activities, or those who park a vehicle on Farwell High School property, are subject to random drug tests administered by a Waco-based company.

“The school board felt like it was something that could help educate students and improve our school,” Lusk said. “I think this was generated grassroots from the faculty and community. Random drug testing in extracurriculars is common in the state of Texas.”

Texas districts that include Marble Falls, Manor, Caddo Mills and Alvin have implemented similar policies.

Clovis Municipal Schools has a random drug-testing policy in effect for students involved in activities under the New Mexico Activities Association.

Texas’ Lockney Independent School District in the Panhandle, however, had a drug testing policy overturned in 2001 on constitutional concerns. It applied to all juniors and seniors, and refusal by the student or a parent was treated as a positive test.

Lusk said the confidential drug tests — results remain between the school, the student and the parent — are urine samples screened for “10 to 15 of the most common drugs out there,” including performance-enhancing drugs and alcohol.

The board budgeted $5,000 for the first year, Lusk said, with each test costing $75.

“That’s a small cost,” Lusk said. “If it keeps some kids from going down the path of drug abuse, the cost is miniscule and a $75 drug test is a good investment.”

According to Farwell ISD policy, a first positive test results in a counselor-managed drug awareness program. Consequences increase on subsequent offenses.

Amarillo civil rights lawyer Jeff Blackburn has represented students in cases against schools, and said Farwell is “about 15 years too late” in enacting such policies.

“The bad news is,” Blackburn said, “this is totally legal. The Supreme Court decided years ago, after completely reversing themselves on this, that students could be basically victimized.”

But Blackburn said drug testing creates “a police state on campus.”

“What sort of citizens do we make out of this?” he asked.

“It’s horrible ... here’s another example of how the rights of everybody get taken away eventually.”

Farwell High School senior Dakota Meeks, a member of the football team, said he is neutral on the issue.

“I don’t really agree with the policy or disagree with it,” Meeks said. “To me, it’s not a big deal. I understand why they’re doing it, but then again, it’s a very new thing for Farwell. Plus we’re from a small town; everybody knows each other and mostly what everybody does.

“But it’s still good because I understand there’s been a lot of trouble with teens and drugs, and they want to keep kids out of it.”