Posted on 12/05/2002 1:05:09 PM PST by Just another Joe
4 students fail nicotine part of city drug tests
None fail alcohol or drug portions
By Bayne Hughes
DAILY Education Writer
hughes@decaturdaily.com · 340-2432
Decatur City Schools had their first drug test failures during November's random tests, but not for drugs or alcohol.
According to Supervisor for Safety and Alternative Education Phil Hastings, four students failed the tobacco portion of the random tests given to students participating in competitive extracurricular activities.
"All of the students admitted to it (smoking cigarettes or using smokeless tobacco), and are taking steps to stop using it," Hastings said.
The penalties for positive nicotine use are not as harsh as the penalties for drugs and alcohol. School officials notify the student's parents or guardians and the sponsor of the student's activity for a first violation. The major consequence is the student must participate in the monthly random drug tests for the remainder of the school year.
A second failure would require the student to participate in tobacco education classes. A student would not be suspended from participating in the activity until the third positive test.
In contrast, a student would be immediately suspended from an activity on the first failure for illegal drugs or alcohol until a negative retest. The student would also have to attend mandatory substance abuse counseling.
Hastings said 79 high school students, with 40 at Austin and 29 at Decatur, took the November tests. This is the second month for the tests and, so far, none of the students failed the drug or alcohol portions.
"I'm not surprised that we haven't had any, but I won't be surprised if we have any test positive," Hastings said.
"Most of these kids are athletes and we told them in advance of our plans. Most of these students usually meet expectations, but at some point we will have some fail."
Cross section
Hastings said he was pleased with cross section of students chosen for the tests for the second straight month.
"We got a wide selection of students from all backgrounds, all grades and all activities," Hastings said.
It's just a matter of time before science advances to the point where they can also test for things like fat content in the diet,and will be arresting parents for test results.
According to Supervisor for Safety and Alternative Education Phil Hastings,
THIS is the part that upsets ME the most. Notice "Phil's" title? Notice the "Alternative Education" part of his title? This has NOTHING to do with a actual education,and everything to do with replacing the parent with the gooberment as the ultimate authority. He is a propoganda chief,and nothing more. The mystery is why the school board approves the hiring of people like him,and why they pay his most likely VERY inflated salary? I'd be willing to bet old Phil has a Masters in one of more of the mental health fields.
Folks,the way to stop this is take over the local school boards,and refuse to pay their salaries.
What would you bet that this guy is a failed cop turned gym teacher.
"Supervisor for safety" means he gets to make the rules and "Alternative Education" means he gets to knock around the 'alternative' students once in a while as well. You know, the students who are sent to the 'alternative' schools.
Cotinine DOES show up in the urine of people who eat tomatoes, broccoli, eggplant, potatoes, and other vegetables that contain nicotine.
Isn't it amazing that secondhand smoke is "such a killer," but since kids are now being given urine tests in some schools to determine the presence of cotinine, all of a sudden they "don't feel that cotinine from second hand smoke is possible."
''Tobacco does and will affect a larger majority of the students than alcohol or drugs,'' said Gloria Spizey, the county's coordinator for Safe and Drug-Free Schools. ''Tobacco use can be devastating. We felt it needed to stand with the other drugs.''
Screenings can detect cotinine for up to 10 days in regular smokers of about a half a pack, or 10 cigarettes, a day, McAlpin said. Experts say it is unlikely that cotinine would collect in people exposed to secondhand smoke.
Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey
Ever wonder where those statistics come from?
Here is "Where it is written."
The blatant abuse and use of our children, all for "The sake of the children" and the money schools are given for implementing the survey.
Would you allow your child to take this survey after reading it?
Money: Why your school district is willing to invade your privacy and turn your children into mini Nazi informants against their friends, family and community.
What can SDFSCA funds be used for?
I absolutely DETEST the idea that any child is being subjected to this nonsense, regardless of the "alleged reasons". Only the parents of these kids can storm the school and say, "No way in hell will I allow you to even SHOW this to my child(ren), much less expect them to answer any of these 'questions'! This has nothing to do with spelling or English or history or math or science, which are the only things that my child(ren) should be expected to answer or take tests on at school. Mind your own business, you Nazi terrorists!"
Barb.
Maine is in the process of removing vending machines from schools. But since the vendors have a "contract" until 2004, Maine is wondering how to get out of it.
Could it be that the second hand smoke thingy is a myth?
Not for teens its not.
Never bothered ME!!!!!!!
Yeah, how about that, shouldn't they be testing for sexual activity before they let these children in the astronomy club or whatever? (Relax, folks, I'M KIDDING!)
It's illegal for a minor to BUY tobacco. How many states is it illegal for a minor to SMOKE tobacco?
I'm not saying that smoking is good for them. I'm saying that this has gotten WAY out of hand and that, IMO, students that want to do extracurricular activities shouldn't be held to an extra higher standard.
Also that checking for nicotine is going WAY overboard considering that tobacco is a legal commodity that does not impair a persons judgement.
STATE | Citation | Youth Tobacco Law Description |
AL | 1999 Ala. Acts, Act 353 (HB 323)b | Establishes that a portion of the state's tobacco settlement money will be transferred from the 21st Century Fund to the Children First Trust Fund where the Legislature will appropriate funds upon the recommendation from the governor for programs authorized by the Children First Act. |
1998 Ala. Acts, Act 382 (HB 92)b | Creates the Children First Trust Fund and appropriates funds from the tobacco settlement. | |
1997 Ala. Acts, Act 423 (SB 300) | Establishes the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Council Board as the state agency responsible for regulating and enforcing state and federal laws on the sale of tobacco and associated products to minors under age 19. Minors who are found using or possessing tobacco are to be issued a citation and fined between $10 and $50. | |
1997 Ala. Acts, Act 933 (SB 35)a | Appropriates $350,000 toward the regulation of children's access to tobacco. |
Obvservation: The banning of cigarettes is occuring with the youth and is likely to push into higher ages as time goes by.
With all due respect, the person who decides to smoke has impaired judgment.
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