Parents Debate: Should Schools Do Random Drug Tests?

If a student at Jefferson Township Schools is suspected of drug use, he or she can be tested for drugs. Suspicion leads to investigation. It's a fairly straightforward approach.

But some Jefferson Township parents would like to see more done. Judy Castiglione () argues random drug-testing policies have been effective in other towns.

Students fearful of the consequences of being discovered might be more inclined to turn down drugs, she said.

“If we had one in Jefferson, it would be another way our kids could say no," she said.

Each day this week, Jefferson Patch explores the impact drugs are having on our community. Monday, we discussed the growing concern over hard drugs, such as heroin, in Jefferson Township; We also told the story of a Jefferson man whose family struggled for years with addiction. Tuesday, . Wednesday, . Thursday was the story of how .

Dr. Kathaleen Fuchs, superintendent of Jefferson Township schools, said the district hasn't taken a stance on random drug testing.

“I can see the pros and cons of drug testing, but in the end, parents need to be responsible for their own kids,” said Lake Hopatcong resident George Somers, father of a middle school and elementary school student. “I really don’t know if random drug testing is the answer. I think teachers need to have the gumption to call home if they suspect something, and parents have to take those calls seriously. But from a financial standpoint, I think there are better ways we can spend our money as a district than on drug testing.”

Mark Krisinksi, past school board candidate and Oak Ridge parent, agreed.

“We need to work harder on education,” he said. “I just don’t think testing a bunch of random kids is the right thing to do.”

Helen Anderson, a Lake Hopatcong mother of two high school students, said she's "absolutely, 125 percent in favor of drug testing."

“But there has to be follow-through," Anderson, also an employee of the district, said. "If the kids who test positive don’t have any consequences, then there’s no point to it. But if there will be consequences, then I have no problem spending the money on it.”

Eric Wilsusen, captain on the Jefferson police department, and father of two students in Jefferson, said random testing can be a great deterrent.

“I’m in favor of random drug testing, as long as it is truly random,” he said.

And some students see potential benefits as well.

“I think it’s a good idea because it gives the adults a chance to see who is doing drugs, and it shows the kids that the school is taking this problem seriously,” said Bobby, a high school freshman who asked that his last name not be used.

Lake Hopatcong resident Jill VanNess is on the fence about this issue.

“Before I make a final decision, I’d like to see research that tells me whether it has been successful in other districts,” she said.

Some districts have instituted a random testing policy, including the Hanover Park High School district, which started its program in 2007. Other districts, including Pequannock and Freehold, have a testing policy in place for students who play sports or participate in extracurricular activities, or those who have parking privileges at the school.

“Other towns have random drug testing policies in effect, and they are working,” Castiglione said. "I'd like to see it started in Jefferson where parents voluntarily sign their kids up for testing. This gives kids another way to say no. If someone tries to sell them something, they could say, 'my parents signed me up for random drug testing. No way, I'm not taking that chance'."