The Paper

Beating the drug test at Pryor Schools just got tougher.

Pryor’s school board voted Monday night to screen for more illegal or performance enhancing drugs when conducting monthly - not just three times a year — random drug tests.

Any student enrolled in an extra-curricular activity - not just athletics - can be selected for a random drug test during 2009-10.

In the past, Pryor Schools conducted a five-panel drug test covering marijuana, PCP, cocaine, opiates and amphetamines.
The new test will be an 11-panel test covering, in addition, darvocet, methadone, barbiturates, methamphetamines, oxycondine and benxodiazepines (Valium, Xanax).

In the past, Pryor Schools conducted three tests each year - calling 60 senior high and/or junior high students at random in fall, winter, spring.

Now the testing will take place at least once per month with approximately 20 students selected at random each time.

As has been the case in the past, drug testing of a student can be requested by the school district at any time based on reasonable suspicion - not just by random lot.

In the past, students who tested inconclusive/positive did not have to show proof that they went through four hours of substance abuse education counseling before being reinstated to competition or participation.

Now, students must show proof of completion for both first offense and second offense.

In the future, first-offense students who test inconclusive/positive, and serve a 14-day suspension from their activity, will be required to submit to a follow-up test for illegal drugs - paid for by parent or guardian - before regaining eligibility. If the student does not submit to such a drug test within the following 14 days, they will not be able to compete or participate in any manner until they have been retested.

Currently, there is no time period for follow-up test of students testing inconclusive/positive.

Finally, the verbage in the policy relating to students refusing to submit to a drug use test will include students who leave after they have been selected for a test.

Pryor Schools’ thinking on drug testing is stated in the policy:
“Participation in Pryor Schools’ extra-curricular programs and activities is a privilege. These programs and activities in Pryor are highly visible. It is for this reason that model behavior, proper conduct and great sportsmanship and citizenship are expected. Each student carries a responsibility to self, team or activity group, coaches, sponsors, parents and school to make wise choices and be accountable for the choices made. Exemplary conduct, and complete abstinence from alcohol and illegal drugs, are the positive choices to be made by the student.”

If an initial drug test is inconclusive/positive, the results will be subject to confirmation by a second and different test of the same specimen. A test shall not be reported positive unless the second test utilizing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry proves positive.