LAKE STEVENS – Keith Kubec dreads the day his son will be sent to a urinal at Lake Stevens High School as part of a test for drug use.
“I believe in retaining as many rights as possible. Random drug testing is just a total invasion of our privacy as citizens of this country,” Kubec said.
His son sees it differently.
“It’s just a pee,” said Kelly Kubec, 17, a junior who competes on the wrestling team. “If you’re not a user, it shouldn’t be a problem at all.”
Both father and son say they’ll agree to the tests if that’s what it takes for Kelly to continue being involved in high school sports.
Next school year, the high school plans to start randomly testing student athletes for drug use. The testing also could be extended to students in other extracurricular activities, including more than 20 clubs.
The school board tonight is set to direct the superintendent to start planning the details. The public is invited to comment.
Sentiment among parents and students has been mixed, though mostly quiet.
The school district has received little response beyond a warning from the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington since it announced its plans nearly two weeks ago.
“I don’t think students are really aware of it right now because it’s new,” said junior Tam To, 17, the student body’s president-elect.
Student body president Kenny Anderson, 18, recalled some of his peers’ confusion and alarm when police officers brought drug-sniffing dogs onto campus earlier this year.
The senior believes drug use is on the rise, noting that more of his peers are being pulled out of class and more searches of student cars are being conducted. “Kids talk,” he said.
School leaders have been seeking ways to improve drug and alcohol prevention efforts since last year. They are concerned by discipline reports and student surveys.
One result last fall was requiring drug tests for students entering Prove High School, an alternative program.
During the first enrollment period under the new testing requirement, 45 students were tested. Of those, 11 tests came back positive, and students were put into treatment programs alongside their schooling. Two students chose not to enroll.
The tests, costing $5 each, checked for marijuana, cocaine, opiates and a variety of stimulants, including methamphetamine.
Tests also are given throughout the school year. So far, there have been 17 “dirty” results. Six of Prove High School’s 65 students are currently in treatment.
Blanket drug testing of students is illegal. But the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public schools can require students to take drug tests as a condition of participating in sports or other optional programs.
The ACLU of Washington argues that the state’s constitution is stricter, however, citing a state Supreme Court ruling that mandates grounds for suspicion before searching students’ bags or pockets.
Two lawsuits on school drug testing are pending in superior courts elsewhere in the state.
The ACLU’s letter also brings up the bottom line. It calls the tests a waste of money, pointing to a 2003 University of Michigan study that found no difference in the rates of drug use in schools with and without testing.
Some parents say changing one student’s mind overshadows any list of arguments against testing.
Parent Debbie Isaman said she wishes all high schools would take the same step.
“Cost-wise, if you look at all the other things they spend money on, all the wasted money, I think this is one positive way to spend it,” said Isaman, who has a son on the baseball team. “It will give them another reason to tell their friends, ‘No, I can’t.’ “
Dawn Steinruck’s son, a junior, plays several sports and is on the state-bound soccer team.
The mother supports drug tests, citing the example of a high school friend of her daughter, who is now 22. The friend battled drug addiction and is now in recovery.
“They have such potential and make these choices because they’re young. If they’re held accountable, it’s in their best interest. … The choices that they make in high school, for some of these kids, will be with them forever,” Steinruck said.
Drug tests that are truly random protect students and are aimed at getting them treatment that will make a positive difference, said Steve Pitkin, the high school’s drug and alcohol counselor. “It’s an opportunity for intervention.”
Marysville School Board members also have raised the idea of giving drug tests.
The Granite Falls School District used drug tests for athletes and cheerleaders during the 1997-98 school year before abandoning the practice because of legal advice and the threat of a lawsuit.
Reporter Melissa Slager: 425-339-3465 or mslager@heraldnet.com.
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