New Jersey School District OKs Random Drug Testing for Middle School Students
- Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:47am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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A New Jersey school district has signed off on a new policy to allow random drug testing for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.
The new Belvidere School District program will begin in the fall, with parents choosing whether or not they want their child to participate.
Testing will take place in the nurse’s office, and students who test positive would not be punished or turned over to the police — instead, their parents would be notified and they would be required to attend an early intervention program. Parents would pay for the cost of treatment.
“Hopefully it works as a deterrent and to help kids as opposed to it being punitive,” Superintendent Dirk Swaneveld told the Lehigh Valley Express-Times.
The district has had random drug tests for high school students since 2008. Swaneveld said the school board had been discussing the possibility of extending it to middle schools since January, but wanted to take its time to “make sure we had it right.”
Also according to the policy, “undercover operations” may be permitted where a “less intrusive means of law enforcement intervention may be ineffective.”
Swaneveld waved that part of the policy away.
“No, there’s not going to be any undercover operations,” he told the Express-Times. “Not the way you’re reading it.”
Robert Vines, whose two children attend Oxford Street School told CBS New York he thinks the new program is a good idea.
“The program is great because that would give you more chance to get more involved in your children’s life, through the school system without law enforcement coming into it,” Vines said.
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Comments (89)
hawkster
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:30amNothing like creating a criminal/drug record for your child before he/she hits High school. He/she can be explaining his “false” positive result for the rest of their life. And YES-False positives happen all the time—especially when implemented at the local level by those with an agenda such as teachers and school administrators. But if they actually catch your kid with drugs or alcohol in his system then you may as well forget college and a promising career as the kid caught will be sidetracked into a lifetime of dependence. Oh I forgot the montra “we just want what’s best“ which are code words for ”BIG BROTHER”. A futurecomputer background check will miss nothing including your kids drug history in Middle School. There is no such thing as confidentiality in this computer age. Don’t you get it –You MORONS. What kind of idiot parent would hamstring their child with a mindless attempt by do-gooders to invade their privacy so that they continue the brainwashing unhindered. This isn’t about drugs. It’s all about indoctrination into the modern agenda. And what the agenda — “that we all must report on one another FOR THEIR OWN GOOD”. It’s in all the federal and non profit ads daily and is the current craze to admit you have a problem. Go ahead and have your kid admit in middle school that he/she has a problem and relegate them to the welfare lines. Your child will be unemployable and dependent on you for the rest of their lives emotionally and financially.
Report Post »Doctor Nordo
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 12:37pmI’m actually forced to agree with you here. If parents are really that concerned with whether or not their chidren are using drugs, there are plenty of home testing kits that you can get from your local drug store very cheap. This way the parent can have sole responsibility in determining drug use and assigned punishment. It avoids the state altogether which is always a good thing.
Report Post »hechafteth
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:21pmDrug testing, no drug testing; the inconsequential aspects of WHAT THE LESSON TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE REALLY IS.
This is gladiator school in the US, teaching class warfare at a young enough to absolutely ensure discrimination along social, racial, economic, sexual, psychological, and physiological lines. The very conditions needed to have instances such as Columbine throughout the country. Excellent job New Jersey, Zeig Heil!!!
Voltaire, where are you when we need you?
Report Post »hechafteth
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 1:24pmGovernor Chris Christie has his children go to a private school…
Report Post »mioilman
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:31pmHawkster,
Keeping drugs out of schools, for or against?
Keeping kids on drugs away from students who aren’t, for or against?
A better place to start the testing would be on the teachers.
I’ll bet dollars against donuts that the teachers and administrators are not tested.
Drug testing for teachers and administrators, for or against?
If you don’t think the teachers are stoned, review video of their childish behavior in Wisconsin during the labor strife.
The drug culture that exists in schools today is a direct result of the liberal attitudes of those in charge. The country needs to try anything at this juncture.
Report Post »wildbill_b
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 7:52pmShould I point out that 4 of the 5 “drugs” they are going to “test” for are gone from the body in 3 days or less? And that pot is nearly ALWAYS the drug they “find” because is it detected for over 30 days?
And that is exactly why they are doing it.
Watch this video on pot from PBS very informative. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9077214414651731007
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:21pmI didn’t like it when I was in the military (I don’t do drugs) and I didn’t like it during my LEO career. I like it even less when they go after 10 and 12 year olds. Is there that much of a drug problem in NJ?
Report Post »momrules
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:13amMost bad idea starts out looking good on paper and many start out saying it is for the good of the children. I would never let my child be drug tested by a state run organization . The schools already have their own police forces on most campuses as it is and they are all fast taking over all parental control. The schools don’t even accomplish their primary mission anymore which is to educate the children and people will trust them to drug test their kids. Crazy!!!!
Report Post »Faith_Grace
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:20pmsome schools around us drug test all the way down to 7th grade. I am okay with it, why do you ask….because there are those parents out there that DON’T educate their children. Also, it does give kids a chance to say no. My son is an athlete. He is drug tested. Anyone that is involved in any activity, whether it is chess club, drama, or football, gets tested. It gives them a chance to say NO, They might be tested next week!!!!!!!
Report Post »So what if they should already be saying no because they shouldn’t be doing drugs in the first place!!!!! 9 out of 10 people on this site have probably done drugs or drink more than occasionally. And I am sure you didn’t wait to start any of that when you over 21 either.
And don’t say that…“It is against their rights”. That is bull! Most parents that are against drug testing of their kids just don‘t want to know what their kids are doing because they don’t want to be bothered with them. So test away I say. My oldest sons school didn’t drug test. He is 23. He has had 4 classmates die of “accidental drug overdoes”. And he knows of several that are heroin addicts and/or other addictions.
If you ask me they don’t do enough testing….meet the problem head on, I say! Because it is a problem. Those of you that don’t have anyone in or around high school have no freaking clue.
I would gladly pay more in local taxes to pay for mandatory drug testing for ALL students!!!!
twotwins
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:09amParents all over America NEED HELP! The peer pressure is the strongest force in the world it seems. This would even help those kids “on the fence” as it would help them with being able to say, “I don’t want to get in trouble”. Some of them will actually feel PROTECTED BY ADULTS FOR ONCE!!!! THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD RUN A SCHOOL AND HAVE KIDS TAKING DRUGS. WHAT IN THE SAM . . . . . . . . .LL ARE ADULTS THINKING NOWADAYS? PROTECT THE KIDS!
Report Post »yeah I got an itch
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:58amtry teaching your chil character. That is the ONLY defense.
Report Post »yeah I got an itch
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 12:09pmone more thing and I will retire. peeing in a cup makes no kid feel protected. I always feel real safe when the SWAT team kicks in my door with a warrant.
Report Post »rdub76
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 2:15pmTwotwins you should personally fund this project since you think it is so great
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 3:14pmTWOTWINS is one of those people who would sacrifice YOUR liberty for his/her own safety.
It’s frightening American citizens are so willing to do this to their neighbors.
Report Post »GoodWill2
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:05amPull your kids out of government schools. They’re your kids. The government will only screw ‘em up (literally).
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:04amSchools will not be safe until the DOE is defunded, and the racists, terrorist organizations NAE/ACLU/NCAAP are outlawed.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:02amRemember, whenever the rationale is “it’s for the …..children…..”, look a little deeper. It isn’t. Not really.
Report Post »skippy6
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:33amThe problems begin at home, and the teachers have no authority to disciplinary action, I say get sheriff Joe, I don’t believe in random tests that the tax payers expense. I think Joe could think of a system where the students parents would pay for the test, then the parents could make the student work it off at home doing chores!!!!
Report Post »On The Bayou
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:43amLets drug test the teachers first.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:59amThe teachers have a union, the students don’t. Oh Oh! Now I’ve done it.
Report Post »59 Fender Pro
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:07pmUm chips, the black students DO have a union. It is the black student union, when I saw this in high school I suggested that there should be a white student union as well. I was subsequently suspended for three days for inciting hatred and racism, just gotta love CA public schools.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:29amFigures that most so called “freedom loving” “conservatives” here are for this massive government power grab…
Report Post »Oh, God!
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:49amI think you need to read most of the comments. Looks like most “freedom loving conservatives” are against it. I am also. More parental involvement, less government intrusion.
Report Post »HisNameWasRobertPaulson
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:51amI don’t know what blog you are reading, but so far most of the posters here are either against it outright, or for it if it includes all the people that would be in charge of the children as well.
Seems you got your lions crossed.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:27amMay sound like a good & noble idea on the surface but opens the door for more government intrusion & control.
Report Post »Mr. Oshawott
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:19amI sense a huge power grab by the government coming from this. Shouldn’t the PARENTS be looking out for their offspring instead of these government-sponsored schools?
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:54amI might go along with this if they also randomly test the teachers, school administration and the school board for drugs as well.
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:13amI agree
Report Post »Patti Momma Ewok
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:51amWhat happens if the parents don’t/can’t/won’t send the kids to treatment? Then, surely law enforcement will be notified. Slippery slope. Watch out!
Report Post »Buzzboy317
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:47amDon’t trust the schools. Be the parent.
Report Post »Buzzboy317
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:45amReally? Your gonna sign your 6th grader up for random drug testing? If you agree with this nonsense, then big brother already has you and you don’t even know it. This is soft tyranny and, if we allow this type of invasive government, it with quickly morph into the real thing.
It‘s non of the government’s business and parent should not abdicate their responsibility to the state.
Report Post »burned at edges
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:25amI don’t know if I could have said it better.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:37amTeachers and principals, too, please. Janitors, office staff. Everybody on campus.
I really agree with those who say people on assistance need to be drug tested, probably daily!
Also, our reps in Washington and maybe even this man currently acting as pres.
Report Post »windycitywoman
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:37amHello Beck friends! I have started a prayer group for Glenn and his endeavors on educating our youth and his mission in Israel. This group also posts news articles and videos on topics Glenn has covered on his show. Many others and I are members of GBTV and will be discussing his show daily and posting what he shares on the Internet. This is a great way to stay in the loop if you do not have GBTV!. We have also been doing wonderful fast and prayers on Wednesdays for Israel! If you are a “like minded” Christian, Conservative Glenn Beck fan please join us (220 of us and growing rapidly and without the TROLLS)! Find me on Facebook under Sharon Grek Papucci and send me a friend request! Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers.” -Sidlow Baxter
Report Post »flamegonesilver
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:35amThis is AMERICA!
Report Post »The SCHOOLS have NO RIGHT to ‘test’ students.
Parents must be parents….and NOT THE SCHOOLS OR THE DAMN GOVT.!
twotwins
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:55amAre you kidding? Do you have any idea how many parents are DESPERATE for help in America and all over the world. Our kids are being stolen right from under us with the peer pressure of drugs. It is almost impossible to track them, train them, save them, find out who their friends are . . . . .. . . . it has been a NIGHTMARE for years. We need help – I’ll bet communities would be willing to throw in money to the kittie!!!!! It is just like needing E-Verify. Nice little old women are AFRAID to ask the guy who wants to do their yard if they are legal or not. They are so nice and polite and scared. But with E-Verify it is a phone call ok. They can remain polite but FOLLOW THE LAW. What a relief.
If kids know they will be drug tested and if they are dirty – the parents can FINALLY get some proof and help. Trust me . . . . . this is a world wide NIGHTMARE – hence, all the killings and beheadings in Mexico. MONEY – MONEY – MONEY a root of incredible evil.
Report Post »rdub76
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 2:19pm@twotwins. The rest of the world shouldn’t have to pay for your lack of personal backbone.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:23amThank you once again Blaze for setting me on that emotional rollercoaster where I read the headline and my blood pressure shoots up but then I read the lead paragraph and see that there is not a darn thing wrong here. Maybe a waste of taxpayer dollars, but if I have to throw my money away on something I would prefer trying to get a kid some help early on as opposed to a billion dollar mouse turd analysis program.
Parents have to dive their assent, that is fine. No different from the parent dragging jr up to the clinic for the test themselves. Make it accessible and maybe we can aim these kids in the right direction at the onset of drug abuse.
Report Post »timjohnson1967
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:19amNoble but how much does this cost the taxpayers of New Jersey?
Report Post »nysparkie
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:10amWOW. A Local Gov’t? entity is actually doing something about the yout/drug problem? OUTSTANDING! In NJ too. Success is sometimes measured in baby steps.
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:32amDrug testing alone is not enough. I agree that it is a start. But we really do need to declare a war on drugs especially in the educational system These kids need to be taught and shown what drugs will do to their lives. They need to be shown what kind of life that they can have versus the life they are likely to have with drugs. Godly pronciples need to be placed back into our schools. I knew someone once who professed to be an atheist, but he said that even if there were no God, that the Bible was a ood rulebook to live by. I believe in and I love God and ever so much His Son who died for us and rose the third day.
Report Post »Docrow
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:01amIf we are drug testing our kids at school why can we not drug test the people getting food stamps? We are so messed up! good is evil and evil has become good.
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:11amEvery government rep should get the test also.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:27amWe drug test the military, employers drug test, but if the government drug tested those on welfare, it would be discrimination…..
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:36amI agree about the drug testing of welfare recipients, but did you know their are people actually drawing disability for being an alcholic, or a drug abuser? I think the reasoning must be that it cuts down on crime. If they are given money, then they are less likely to rob and kill.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:00amMaybe they should drug test welfare resipeants.I have to be drug tested to work ,and not just the pee test.But also hair.However this story is going to bring out the legalize drug crowd.
Report Post »nhbmaing
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:48amRight on dude. Test EVERYONE that gets their money from the taxpayers. Cops, military, teachers, welfare/social security recipients. If we have to get tested to put money in (I get tested too), they should have to get tested to take money out.
Report Post »burned at edges
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 11:07amJust because you have to get drug tested at work does not make it right. I guess misery loves company.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:59amWhen Ever Government does something “For the Children” citizens eventually get screwed.
Report Post »kentuckypatriot
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:58am“The program is great because that would give you more chance to get more involved in your children’s life, through the school system without law enforcement coming into it,” Vines said.
Really? Shouldn‘t you be involved in your children’s lives always?
Report Post »ares338
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:52amTime for home schooling.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:00amIt has been time for home schooling a long time ago, but this is not the reason why.
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