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Lewisville ISD Begins Random Drug Testing

Extracurricular activities or a parking sticker make students eligible
75 students per campus selected at random
First offense results in 15 day suspension from performing

by Barry Carpenter
CW 33 News at Nine

April 14, 2008

LEWISVILLE -- It's an ordinary spring day at Lewisville High School; the Fighting Farmers football team got in a light workout. But now, the players and other students taking part in extracurricular activities can be randomly tested for drugs.

LISD employee Regina Bennett explains the process. "What happens is that we send a list of eligible students to the lab and then they take those students and go through their computer system and they will select 75 students per campus," says Bennett.

The list of screened drugs is long. From marijuana and cocaine to prescription painkillers like codeine and oxydodone, pcp, xanax; methamphetamine and ecstasy are also on the list.

A student testing positive for the first time will be suspended from performing for fifteen days, although they are allowed to practice.

Erik Panameno and Rueben Aguilar are members of the Navy Junior ROTC and are eligible to be tested.

Panameno says, "If you do drugs and you really shouldn't be on the sport because you are an example to other people. And if you do drugs, they they are going to start doing them because they feel it's alright." Aguilar agrees, saying, "If some students are taking drugs then they shouldn't be taking part in some of these events and if they're taking drugs, maybe this will stop them from taking drugs."

Students can appeal by having a sample tested at a second lab. Students who test positive will receive counseling. Nicholas Dodd is on the track team; he says some kids are concerned. "I think it's the right thing to do because drugs are illegal and they should be tested in public schools and if you get caught you should be punished for it," he says.

Katie Redick doesn't take part in any extracurricular activities, but she does have a parking permit, which means she can be tested. She doesn't mind; but others say it's a bitter pill to swallow. Redick says, "Some kids I know it's a concern, but I mean it's their life, if they want to get caught, then let them get caught."
Copyright © 2008, KDAF