Students face drug tests Most Warren Hills parents approve of proposal. Random drug testing could start as early as this fall. Tuesday, June 06, 2006 • BY LYNN OLANOFF • The Express-Times WASHINGTON TWP. | Students at Warren Hills Regional High School could undergo random drug testing as early as this fall. Following two presentations to parents in the last five days, the board of education will hear the proposal at its meeting tonight. The plan has support among board members, parents and some students, district officials said. Most parents at Monday's and Thursday's information sessions said they liked the proposal. "This gives kids an out to say they don't want to do drugs," said Pat Rosado, whose son is a freshman and involved in sports. Warren Hills has had voluntary drug testing for high school athletes since 1997. The random program would require all athletes and students who participate in clubs or park their cars on campus to be tested. School officials expect at least 75 percent of the school's 1,400 students to qualify for the testing. The random program is intended to deter drug use and identify students who are using drugs, high school Principal Tim O'Brien said. Students who test positive for drugs through urine tests must undergo substance abuse education. They also are temporarily suspended from extracurricular activities. "There are no punitive consequences for a positive test the program is about getting help and to use as a tool to fight peer pressure," school Student Assistance Counselor Tim Downs said. School officials plan to test 100 students next year, or 10 percent of the expected 1,000-student testing pool. Tests cost $7.50 each. The district has received a $200 grant from the Washington Borough Municipal Alliance to cover part of the estimated $750 program, Downs said. Warren Hills officials have wanted random drug testing for many years, but waited until the court battle over Hunterdon Central Regional High School's drug-testing program was finished. The New Jersey Supreme Court in 2003 upheld the district's program. Hackettstown, North Hunterdon and Voorhees high schools also have random drug testing. School officials said random testing is especially needed now at Warren Hills, because they suspect drug use is on the rise. Under the current system, students are tested if they are suspected of using drugs. According to O'Brien, more of those tests are coming back positive. Also, an anonymous survey conducted this year showed 36 percent of Warren Hills seniors have admitted to using marijuana and alcohol at the same time and 10 percent use marijuana on a daily basis. Students are mixed on the idea, said Katelyn Potenta and Eric Lee, two students who served on the school's random drug-testing task force. Lee found most athletes supported the testing, but Potenta found the majority of the overall student body did not. "It's human nature not to want to participate in a program like this at this age," she said. Reporter Lynn Olanoff can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by e-mail at lolanoff@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used with permission.