Marijuana Policy Project

SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. — Dozens of student-athletes at two central Kentucky high schools will be asked to take part in random drug screenings beginning this fall.

The screens at two Bullitt County schools are part of a nationwide survey to examine whether the testing curbs drug use among high school students.

"This program is going to prove that the students here aren't using drugs," said Jaime Goldsmith, who serves as the district's safe and drug-free schools coordinator.

The schools will join 65 other school districts across the state that participate in some form of random student drug testing, according to the state School Boards Association. Last month, the Graves County school board passed a mandatory drug-testing program that will go into effect this fall.

The National Department of Education spend $1.6 million on random student drug testing this year. Texas, Florida and New Jersey recently mandated steroid testing for all high school athletes.

"Drugs have become a huge problem in our society," Goldsmith said. "Athletes are usually in the in-crowd and can have a positive impact on their peers."

But some parents and advocacy groups aren't sold on the controversial testing, which will screen athletes at Bullitt Central and Bullitt East high schools. The district is one of 36 school systems across the country participating in the study by the National Center for Education Evaluation.

"I don't like it," said Theresa Rodriguez, whose 15-year-old son will play on Bullitt Central's football team. "They're hurting these children, not helping them."

The two Bullitt County high schools were chosen by the researchers based on a student survey last year that indicated those schools have a larger drug problem. If athletes fail the drug tests, they must sit out 20 percent of the season and pass another drug test before returning. After a second failed test, they must miss the entire season and be evaluated throughout the year outside school. After a third failed test, the student is banned from sports for the rest of their high school career.

In exchange for participating in the program, Bullitt County will receive $140,000 a year for five years.

The Drug Policy Alliance has opposed random drug testing in schools, calling it ineffective.

"This is a program that really hasn't been evaluated and closely looked at," said Jennifer Kern, a research associate for the alliance. "It's not an evidence-based practice."

Kern cited a 2003 University of Michigan study that concluded that testing students in schools does not deter drug use. Furthermore, students being pulled out of class, taken to a trailer, and later kicked off a sports team can be both embarrassing and awkward, Kern said.

Dan Leasor, Bullitt Central's football coach, said a drug-testing program can take away from a student the very thing that can save them.

"I don't think you should give up on a kid — ever," Leasor said. "When you cut them loose, you've lost them. If these kids aren't on the field, they're probably out doing more drugs."

Bullitt will expand the test next year to include athletes at middle schools and students who participate in competitive activities such as chess and dance clubs