SAFER SCHOOLS NEWS-VOL. 155

Drug Abuse Deterrence Program Serves Parents, Students and Educators at Framingham High School for Three Years

CANTON, Mass. NPR report

Three successful years of providing drugs-of-abuse tests to Framingham High School in Framingham, Mass.

Ralph Olsen, the school’s principal, stated, “Testing for drugs-of-abuse does not necessitate mandatory testing of all students. At Framingham High School we have designed an effective program by working as a community. Parents have been involved since the program was implemented, and we require a parent’s signature to administer any type of test.  Saliva-based tests, are a highly useful test that allows for immediate, onsite results. Parents, faculty and students have come to an understanding at Framingham that cocaine, marijuana, opiates, alcohol and methamphetamines have no place on our campus. In addition to educational programs and agreement by students to contract to remain drug free, leaving the drug tests in full view at all of our special events has proven to be an effective deterrent in our community’s fight against substance abuse.”

“Today, educational institutions are faced with students attending classes and participating in extracurricular events while under the influence of any number of illicit drugs. Some school districts have enforced mandatory drug testing, an issue currently being argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Olsen, a visionary educator, has implemented a plan allowing students, parents, faculty and administrators to work as a community and fight the drugs-of-abuse use in school. Using highly effective drug screening products, students and parents know within minutes if a student has been using drugs-of-abuse because the test changes before their eyes (learn about False Positives). With a saliva-based test, students do not complain about the loss of dignity that is often associated with the collection of urine. Using such screening devices and reminding the student that illegal drug use is an extremely serious matter, Framingham High School has witnessed a tremendous decline in drug abuse. We all applauded Mr. Olsen’s leadership and foresight, and we look forward to working with other caring educators who seek to deter substance abuse on their campuses.”

Supreme Court of the United States Citation:

On March 19, 2002, oral arguments were heard before the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Case No.01-332. Board of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County, et. al. v. Lisday Earls, et. al. will be decided before the Court’s summer adjournment.

Learn More:

• Drug Recognition & Intervention Training
• Drug Testing – False Positives for Urine Testing
• Designer Drugs increasing