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May. 13, 2008
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JOHN L. SMITH: Drug testing: What's good for student-athlete should be good for educator

JOHN L. SMITH
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Repeat after me, young people: Do as we say, not as we do.

That's the unspoken lesson being taught these days at Green Valley High School, where Principal Jeff Horn has received high praise for implementing a random drug-testing program for his student-athletes. Horn's idea appears to be catching on with several other high schools now considering testing their student-athletes for drug use.

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    • For a moment, forget whether such drug testing is effective. And never mind that the Clark County School District already offers an amazing variety of drug-prevention-related programs for students of all grades.

    Look at it this way: Those athletes are being held to a higher standard than their teachers, principals and the Clark County School District Board of Trustees. And that sends a bell-ringing message.

    Those student-athletes might not turn pro in their favorite sport. They might struggle with their math homework and have to cram to pass an American literature class. But thanks to this rule they'll always know the definition of hypocrisy.

    Do as we say, not as we do.

    Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating increased drug testing, and I understand that teachers and administrators are protected by their contracts, but it does make sense for some occupations.

    At Metro, officer Martin Wright tells me the department drug tests recruits and has random drug testing for officers. Tests also may be ordered based on a "reasonable suspicion of drug use or alcohol impairment," Wright says.

    For cops, drug testing is smart. They carry guns, drive fast and have the power to arrest and take a life if necessary.

    Clark County government employees in general aren't drug tested unless "there is reasonable cause that the employee is under the influence of a drug and/or alcohol," according to the current contract. Employees who carry commercial driver's licenses and operate large vehicles may be asked to take a drug test. A county employee involved in an accident while on duty also "may be required to undergo a drug and alcohol test" under certain conditions.

    In case you're wondering, there's no drug testing for county commissioners or members of the City Council.

    Clark County firefighters aren't allowed to use drugs, but they "shall not be subject to the disciplinary process" if they self-disclose their problem. In essence, the average firefighter works under a less aggressive drug policy than the one issued to a member of the Green Valley High football team.

    The School District has many needs, but it's not short of drug abuse-prevention programs. Arlene Hummel heads the district's Safe and Drug Free Schools office, which coordinates programs throughout the system. She possesses the acronym-unraveling skills of a CIA code breaker.

    Hummel brings in experts who educate students and teachers to the dangers of abusing drugs and alcohol. From DARE and Kids Are the Core, to the TARGET program and the upcoming SAVE substance abuse and anti-violence program, Hummel's office offers something for almost everyone.

    "I think we're doing the best we can with the resources we have," Hummel says.

    Although even sweeping anti-drug abuse education programs don't ensure success, Metro narcotics Detective Brian Grammas and his partner Bruce Gentner teach the straight facts to hundreds of teachers and thousands of high school students each year.

    "Hopefully, it gives them some knowledge," Grammas says, acknowledging the harsh realities.

    A consistent set of rules would be refreshing. If you're into drug testing, doesn't it make more sense to randomly test those students who get poor grades and miss a lot of school?

    Instead, the athletes, the students arguably the least likely to take drugs, are placed under suspicion.

    Perhaps someone will argue the football team's backup punter has a more responsible duty than his English teacher. Maybe someone will contend the point guard for the girls' basketball team should be tested before the high school counselor in charge of assisting hundreds of students' lives. Superintendent Walt Rulffes wouldn't dream of trying.

    "There is testing when an issue surfaces, and on occasion people are asked to test when there's some kind of evidence or allegation that there might be substance abuse present," Rulffes says.

    But he readily acknowledges the irony of drug testing athletes in a system that doesn't test teachers or administrators.

    Do as we say, not as we do.

    John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mail him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295.

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    tim leonadr wrote on April 20, 2009 06:42 AM: i think students shouldnt be drug tested. Because people like me like drugs. And it shouldnt be mandatory


    Justin wrote on June 16, 2008 04:40 PM: How come there is the use of someone's name in the first comment listed below. Is that legal?


    Tim Litz wrote on May 14, 2008 06:30 AM: Plain and simple. Drug testing is going on in all sectors of the society. My comment directs that drug testing is too limited. If you get a pay check, you should be subject to drug tests. Drug users put everyone else in harms way. Look at the statistics of people killed by drunk and drug using drivers.
    Teachers have been facing drug testing for years. We get finger printed and are subject to drug testing just to get a low paying under-appreciated position in the 49th lowest paid state in the United States. I feel that politican at the national level and state level and everyone between them and teachers should be drug tested when they receive their pay. That also includes parents that send students to our public schools and that also includes journalists.


    Tim Litz wrote on May 14, 2008 06:30 AM: Plain and simple. Drug testing is going on in all sectors of the society. My comment directs that drug testing is too limited. If you get a pay check, you should be subject to drug tests. Drug users put everyone else in harms way. Look at the statistics of people killed by drunk and drug using drivers.

    Teachers have been facing drug testing for years. We get finger printed and are subject to drug testing just to get a low paying under-appreciated position in the 49th lowest paid state in the United States. I feel that politican at the national level and state level and everyone between them and teachers should be drug tested when they receive their pay. That also includes parents that send students to our public schools and that also includes journalists.


    Tim Litz wrote on May 14, 2008 06:30 AM: Plain and simple. Drug testing is going on in all sectors of the society. My comment directs that drug testing is too limited. If you get a pay check, you should be subject to drug tests. Drug users put everyone else in harms way. Look at the statistics of people killed by drunk and drug using drivers.
    Teachers have been facing drug testing for years. We get finger printed and are subject to drug testing just to get a low paying under-appreciated position in the 49th lowest paid state in the United States. I feel that politican at the national level and state level and everyone between them and teachers should be drug tested when they receive their pay. That also includes parents that send students to our public schools and that also includes journalists.


    J wrote on May 13, 2008 08:32 PM: Are the drug tests testing steroids and performance enhancing drugs? That is an issue.

    As for teachers and staff, I remember the days when everyone smoked pot, all the time. Now, it seems like it is just not worth it. It seems like people used to be nicer and happier back then...oh well...


    Karen T wrote on May 13, 2008 07:26 PM: I also have a job that requires random drug testing. I've worked the same job for 27 years and paid lots of taxes. A portion of my tax dollars pay for Welfare, Food Stamps, ect. How about anybody receiving state aid of any kind submit to a drug test? Isn't that fair? I submit so I can stay employed and pay taxes, so they should submit to continue their state aid.


    Mike K. wrote on May 13, 2008 05:19 PM: I live near a high school in Las Vegas and I have had teachers drive past me while I am jogging early in the morning and on a couple of occasions I could smell the odor of burning marijuana coming from their cars.

    Both students and staff should be tested.


    Rian wrote on May 13, 2008 02:08 PM: The last job I had had random drug testing and it was truly random, Once I was even tested twice in the same month because the computer system kicked out my name twice. No big deal they even allowed for a split sample to be used in case the test was a false positive. The only people who objected were those who got caught and were fired after the second test showed positive. I know of no one who was not guilty and was able to prove it.


    Corporeal wrote on May 13, 2008 12:00 PM: Great idea, Mr. Smith! As a teacher, I volunteer to be tested anytime. I'm not teaching at Green Valley or any of the other schools that will begin next year, but it would be fine with me as a teacher to be tested. I don't even consider it an invasion of my privacy. I have nothing to hide. Freedoms are not absolute. By the way, since you have a great deal of influence on the public, perhaps all reporters and columnists need to be randomly tested. Of course that would only be to insure accurate reporting...


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