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Questions from the Parent Education Meeting on Random Drug Testing

Over 200 parents attended the parent education meeting on Random Drug Testing on Aug. 4 at Colleyville Heritage High School. GCISD staff presented the drug testing policy and Dr. Robert Fowler presented a program on drug and steroid abuse. Parents were invited to submit questions on index cards to be answered and posted on the website. The following questions were submitted and answered by either GCISD staff or a representative from the lab used to process the drug tests:

 
Do Clarinex, Nasonex and Rhinocord show up in the drug tests?
Yes, they do show up. During the analysis process, those types of drugs are separated and differentiated from illicit drugs.

Sometimes students are given antibiotics to combat colds. Will this show up in a drug test as a positive test? No, these types of drugs are not illicit and will not trigger a positive result.

Are there any foods that our kids should stay away from because a
positive result will occur? Although poppy seeds will show a true positive Opiate result, large quantities of poppy seeds would have to be eaten to affect the test in that way.

Would a topical cortisteroid creme like Cortizone-10 show a positive test result? No

My daughter likes to drink "Red Bull" prior to athletics.  Does it
contain dangerous substances? No, however that type of drink is an energy supplement in liquid form and should never replace the water an athlete needs to consume.

My daughter uses Albuterol and Serevant to control exercise induced and allergy induced asthma.  Will these substances result in a positive test? No

Will Advocare products such as Spark and Rehydrate create a positive test result? No.  Spark has caffeine, amino acids and other supplements that should not be over consumed.  Neither is a replacement for water. They are supplements that may be taken with water.

What chain of custody rules will be in place?
 The same rules that apply to any reliable drug testing program.  We have the appropriate COC froms and they are supplied at no charge. The parent's release is the most important signature on the student release test forms.  However, chain of custody requirements are carried through with the student, too.

What is the student's role in the "Chain of Custody?"  Does the
student sign when the sample is given?
The student will be asked to sign the COC form and initial the seal on the bottle.  The student being tested will witness his/her specimen being placed in the container and sealed with an evidence seal.  This is not done unless the subject is watching the procedure. The whole procedure is a good learning situation for students who later may be required to submit to testing with employers.

Will other students, administrators and faculty not associated with the testing procedure be removed from site before the sample is collected?

An administrator will get the student out of class and escort them to the testing site restroom. They will accompany the student into the restroom and the student will go into a stalled area by themselves and provide the sample. There will be a certified technician, of the same gender, also in the restroom to label and collect the sample. The restroom that will be used will be closed to other staff and students during the testing.

Is a split sample taken at the time of testing?
We will do a single specimen collection, then "split" off the original specimen as needed for confirmation testing.  We do not plan to collect two specimens initially.

What labs will be used?
T.H.E. Lab and we will refer to a SAMHSA certified lab, as needed.  Quest, National Medical Labs, Medtox, Aegis and Occa Ameritox may be used for identification of some substances.

How do students and parents determine if the prescriptions given by a physician are safe to use under the testing program?
Students taking a prescription written by a physician for treatment of disease or a condition will not fail a drug screen based on a positive result for that medication.  If the medication shows up on the drug screen, parents may be asked to show proof of the prescription.

What studies point to the efficiency of random drug testing among high school students?
How effective is testing vs. education?
How expensive is testing vs. education?

a. Drug testing is another tool that schools, families and others use to increase awareness that the person is being watched and evaluated. While it may not catch everyone, everyone stands the chance of being tested.
b. It is the District's belief that the testing adds a critical piece to the education. When students know that they stand the chance of being tested, they tend to listen and ask questions.
c. The District has budgeted $27,000 this year for testing and educational components. The educational components will not cost very much as we are providing this information to the coaches/sponsors to share with the students.

What constitutes "reasonable suspicion?" If someone tells Administration that they heard or saw a student in possession of or involved in an issue that is against school rules, Administration can take steps, which could include searches, to verify the story.

Please give the specific list of what drugs students will be tested for during the Random Drug Testing program. Amphetamines including Meth, Cocaine, Cannabinoids, Opiates, Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Phencyclidine, Methaqualone, Methadone, Propoxyphene, Ecstasy (MDMA, MDA, MDE), Alcohol and Steroid-type substances.