Posted by urentitled2myopinion (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 5:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why only cchs and why only athletes?

Posted by juswannabeheard (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i THINK THIS IS A GOOD PLAN. IMPLEMENT IT COUNTY WIDE. MY SON AND NEPHEWS PLAYED BALL FOR A DIFFERENT SCHOOL. I'M ASHAMED TO SAY THAT I CAUGHT THEM WITH DOPE MANY TIMES. WHEN THEY AND THIER TEAM MATES WOULD COME TO MY HOUSE TO HANG OUT I WOULD HAVE TO POLICE THEM VERY THOROUGHLY. TRUTH IS SOME OF THESE ATHLETES FEEL MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PRESSURE AND THEY SEE WEED(OR WHATEVER) AS A QUICK FIX TO THIER STRESS LEVEL-- TO MELLOW THEM OUT. MOST OF THEM THINK WHY NOT, I'M ONLY USING IT TO KEEP COACH OFF MY BACK ABOUT PRACTICE OR HOW BAD I MESSED UP IN A GAME. I UNDERSTAND COACHES ARE JUST DOING THIER JOB, AND THE PRESSURE THEY PUT ON THESE KIDS IS SUPPOSED TO INSTILL IN THEM THE QUALITIES THAT WE WANT THEM TO HAVE LIKE STRENGTH, HONOR, INTEGRITY, TEAM WORK, ETC.... HOWEVER, TO PARAPHRASE A RECENT MOVIE ADVERTISEMENT.... THESE AIN'T YOUR DADDY'S TEAMS. WALLY AND THE BEAVE AREN'T PLAYING BALL NEXT TO OR AGAINST YOUR KIDS. FOR ALL THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE AS A SOCIETY WE HAVE SACRIFICED THE INNER STRENGTH IT TAKES TO FACE LIFE HEAD ON.

I THINK DRUG TESTING SHOULDN'T BE LIMITED TO JUST ATHLETES, BUT IT'S A GOOD START. ALOT OF PARENTS AREN'T AWARE THAT THEIR KIDS HAVE ISSUES WITH DRUGS. SOME WON'T CARE AND OTHERS WILL TRY TO HIDE IT. BUT THEY SHOULD STILL BE AWARE THAT IT EXISTS.

Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think all students need to be tested randomly every 2 weeks!

Posted by SouthernWalker (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a good thought but I would not stop with the students. If your going to test them then you must test all the other personnel at the school. I'm sorry, I am sure that the AEA is not going to allow that to happen.

Posted by NoSugar (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I support this 100%. I doubt we will see it happen for all students but do think it is a great start. Lack of accountability, honesty and integrity is a huge problem in our society today. We have lost much of the character strength that is learned through consequences for bad behavior. Unfortunately our busy lifestyles, both of parents and children, sometimes prevent us from seeing the early warning signs of drug use. This policy could make a positive difference in many lives. Also there is now a home drug test kit on the market, should anyone feel the need to test a family member.

Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sorry, I know everyone here is thinking that this is a good idea, but, our schools already have a hard time buying toilet paper for the bathrooms. Where is the money going to come from to pay for this?

Posted by georam1 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Legally a school can only test a child who is involved in extra curricular activities. You cannot test a student who is only a student. I think it is a good idea. Funding will be an issue. A four panel drug test cost about $10.00 when purchased in mass. Is the school system going to pay for this, the students, the athletic club who?

Posted by ForACause (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 10:27 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You can't fire a teacher for being a lesbian, they tried it in Blount County back when I was a senior in 1977 and it wasn't allowed then as it violates the teacher's rights.

There were actually two teachers that I knew in high school that were having improper relations with the students, both of them male teachers and the students were female. One was caught, the other wasn't and married the girl about a year after her graduation. But the lesbian teacher we didn't even know was a lesbian until the board tried to fire her.

But this is going off the topic of this article.

Posted by jchan (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the drug testing is a good idea, but I also feel like random drug testing should be done on the faculty and staff in the entire county. ForACause- when my children went to Clanton Elementary they were to young to even know or comprehend what a lesbian was so I had no worries that they were being influenced. Besides that the entire faculty/staff were always professional. I don't believe for one minute that this person went around acting unprofessional. That's why you keep your private life private. That little tid bit of gossip is exactly why I choose to work out of the county. So I wouldn't have to be associated with the small town gossip.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe the County can earmark some of that 1% county sales tax (if it passes next year) to drug testing cause the schools need that more they need supplies, computers, or teachers.

Why are we just interested in testing athletes?

Do we have a big drug problem in Chilton County Schools?

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Was there something in the article that I missed about testing for sexual preference?

Posted by ForACause (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MAYBE YOU MISSED THE POINT WHY ARE STUDENTS USING DRUGS?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE WRONG IS WRONG

WHY CAN WE FIRE A TEACHER FOR USING DRUGS?

WHY CAN WE FIRE A TEACHER FOR COMING TO WORK DRUNK?

THESE ARE JUST LIFESTYLES CORRECT? THE WAY PEOPLE CHOSE TO LIVE THEIR LIFE AND THEIR CHOICES...

AS IN LIVING A LESBIAN LIFESTYLE.
WHICH IS WRONG IN THE MAJORITY OF OUR LIVES AND SHOULD BE MADE KNOWN TO THE PARENTS BEFORE THE STUDENTS ARE PLACED IN THAT CLASSROOM......

HOW CAN THE SYSTEM JUSTIFY ONE AND OVERLOOK ANOTHER?

AND YES IT MAY BE A LITTLE OFF THE ARTICLE SUBJECT BUT CHILDREN ARE SOMETIMES FORCED TO USE DRUGS FOR MANY REASONS.. TESTING SHOULD BE APPROVED BUT THE FUNDING NEEDS TO COME FROM PRIVATE FUNDING .

AND IF AN ISSUE IS FOUND WITH AN ATHELETE IT SHOULD BE PRIVATELY ADDRESSED AND TREATMENT FOUND FOR THEM AND IN NO WAY SHOULD PRIVELEDGES BE TAKEN AWAY.

EXTREME ACTION ONLY CAUSES HELPLESSNESS AND REJECTION AND FEELINGS OF LESS SELF WORTH..... IT IS A BIG ISSUE AND MANY AVENUES WILL NEED TO BE CONSIDERED WHERE DRUGS AND ANYONE ARE CONCERNED.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"The policy is modeled after one used at Spain Park High School, CCHS athletic director Brian Carter’s previous place of employment."

Spain Park High School
4700 Valleydale Rd
Hoover, AL 35242

I guess CCHS needs to keep up.

Posted by penandpaper1 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This seems like a good ideal. I have the same question that a few of you have had, who is going to pay for this? Does testing stop at the athletics? I spoke with my daughter after reading this article, she said there was probaly some drug users but they dont stand out from the crowd, (what ever that means). I hope this is only a measurement of precaution in order to protect the health of our students.

Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First off, Typing in ALL CAPS on the web is equivalent to yelling. Secondly, why can't the money for the drug testing come from all the money they rack up to charge people to get into sporting events? Where does that money go anyway? Or what about the money made from refreshments at these events where they charge your $4 bucks for one slice of a $5 dollar pizza served to you by students volunteering? Or all the fundraisers for the sports? Thirdly, Is it really going to do any good to drug test atheletes if they know when they will be drug tested? Fouthly, I have heard that cheaper less complicated drug tests are easier to pass. (just heresay, I am no authority on the matter) Fifthly, if every person in authority in our education systems were terminated due to their private activites that may be in violation of Biblical law, I am afraid there would be quite few of those persons left. As I recall from my time in school, there is a seperation of church and state, right? Is that specific activity illegal? How could the above referenced alleged private activity be any more of a problem than anyone else involved in their private lives in anything that might go against Biblical law. The specific scripture that speaks against your referenced activity also speaks against fornication and adultery. Would then every teacher that was involved in one of those two activities be terminated also? And how would the BOE be able to keep track of these activities? Wouldn't that be a violation of the teachers constitutional rights? It's alot to think about.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK, folks, that thing over on the middle of the left hand side of your keyboard is called a Caps Lock key. If you will press it one time, it will let you type in lower case.

Using all caps is considered yelling, and many folks won't even bother reading it if it looks like a rant.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think this is a GREAT idea. It not only holds the athlete accountable and hopefully will be a deterrent but it might enlighten a parent who isn't aware their child is using drugs. There is a huge drug problem in Chilton County, most of us hope that our children won't be a part of that problem but the fact alot of them are.

Funding will definitely be an issue, unless there is a grant out there that will help fund this program it would have to come from the parents, school, or boe. You could include it in the signup fees before they tryout and fund it that way I guess. But results would have to be held in strict confidence for a future lawsuit not to happen, also you could NOT pick and chose what athletes will be tested, it would only be fair to test all of those that tryout and disqualify those that have drugs in their systems no matter who's child they might be.

Posted by ForACause (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SO PETTY ABOUT THE CAPS.............. and as for biblical law ..... and public law.... that is why my children are home schooled.............. i have absolute control over what my children are influenced by.......

GREAT idea about including it in sign up fees.....

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It always amazes me to hear people say things like "we should test everyone ever two months blah blah blah" and "we have a right to know what drugs the kids in our schools are taking." NO YOU DO NOT. Not so long as this country clings to the threads hanging off the bottom of the US Constitution you don't.

Get over yourself, and for God's sake stop being Helicopter Parents hovering over your children. What good could this kind of parenting possibly do? Do you really think if you have every bit of information, gossip, and hearsay on every other child that goes to school with your kids that you can somehow completely isolate and protect your child? And so what if you are able to isolate and ruin their childhood? What about when they grow up and rebel, or even just run the hell away from your domineering ways?

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ForACause wrote: "SO PETTY ABOUT THE CAPS"

Do you correct your kids when they chew with their mouths open, or talk with their mouths full? Is that petty?

Typing in all caps is considered rude because a) the internet community has come to accept that is tantamount to yelling and b) it is difficult to read.

The points that you and juswannabeheard made may have been well thought out and salient arguments, but I'll never know because I skipped right over them due to their presentation.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

On the face of it, this sounds like a good idea. However, I wouldn't be in favor of the taxpayers having to fork over the funding for it as sports are not mandatory. It seems to me that the prospective athletes should have to pay the fee as part of the acceptance into the sports program.

Posted by ForACause (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i was making a life choice to use caps. but you are getting the point slowly...........

not necessarily accepted by every one but can still be done and if you dont read anything because it is in caps then you may miss out on something that might not have been as petty as your whinning about CAPS !!!!

Posted by mapmom (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a wonderful idea & another great idea is including the price in the signup fees. My child would be one of those tested & I have absolutly no problem with it at all not even contributing to the funding. I think it is an excellent way to help keep our kids safe. I'm all about freedom, space & living your own life but that doesn't happen, in my book, until you move out of my house! But seriously, what ever we as parents can do to go the extra mile to keep our kids safe is a plus!

Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on June 18, 2009 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't mind. I can read it ...

Posted by penandpaper1 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

foracause: I read your comment, and found it interesting. I wish my income was better, I would home school my daughter or send her to private school, but she has to use common sense about her peers. As for the lesbian thing, I would prefer my child was not around them, but now that this "so-called-change" theory has been put in motion, theres nothing I can do now. I hope she remembers the values and morals I have reared her with and make the right decision .

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

QUOTING JACK SHEPARD: "we have a right to know what drugs the kids in our schools are taking." NO YOU DO NOT. Not so long as this country clings to the threads hanging off the bottom of the US Constitution you don't.

I didn't say this quote and don't remember who did but You are correct I don't have the right to know what drugs the kids in our schools are taking, I also don't have the right to know who those kids are. My only concern should be mine, and I drug test them myself. However, I can see that this could be a good thing if implemented and not infringe on the privacy of the students that do not pass. Kids are disqualified from tryouts due to "no health insurance coverage" so what is the difference. I know when I sign my child up that if they don't have health insurance that they are not eligible, doesn't mean everyone else knows only that I know. This could be done it would just need to be handled with care I believe. If a child shows positive on a drug test, the parent is told that they tested positive for drugs. Nobody ever knows why or even that he/she was tested and wanted to try out unless he/she tells them.

QUOTING NOVEMBER162000: wouldn't be in favor of the taxpayers having to fork over the funding for it as sports are not mandatory. It seems to me that the prospective athletes should have to pay the fee as part of the acceptance into the sports program.

November, I agree with these statements fully. Not all taxpayers have children in school and it isn't fair to impose a tax upon them of this nature. The 10.00 could be included in the registration fees paid by the athletes or by the parents and that would be fair to everyone. I believe the student or parent would also have to sign to have this done but I'm not sure I know when you are employed at certain places you sign to be drug tested at random.

On the Lesbian thing, I really can't help what the rest of the world does only what those in my house do even though the rest of the worlds decisions affect us sometimes.

Give your kids the best foundation you can give them to build on and at some point they have to be allowed to learn from life and some of those lessons are hard ones but those are the lessons that usually stick. The worst mistakes in my life I remember and I am the person I am today because I was allowed to make those mistakes, forced to pay the consequences and yes, learn from them.

Posted by psychologistdmp (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ForACause, you are right. You are straying from the topic at hand.

Just for entertainment's sake, do you also not want your children taught by liars, gluttons, people who do not obey their parents, or something else (according to some) considered a sin? As long as they are not allowing it to affect their ability to teach the required material, is it actually affecting the quality of the education they are receiving? Just because something someone does isn't (accoding to some) moral, does it make them bad teachers?

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You DRUG TEST your own children? What kind of message does this send to them. That would say to me "You are my child and I love you. I am proud of the person you are becoming. I have raised you up in a Christian home, I have laid out what I believe is the best way for you to grow up and what kind of person I want you to be...but here pee in this, I don't trust you." Confusing, at best. Have you ever seen the movie American Beauty?

Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

penandpaper1 - you said, "As for the lesbian thing, I would prefer my child was not around them, but now that this "so-called-change" theory has been put in motion" but this has *nothing* to do with "now" or even recent change.

As I said they tried to fire a teacher at my school in 1977 for being a lesbian and they couldn't. I can assure you my bones let me know that was quite some time ago.... nothing recent at all.

Posted by urentitled2myopinion (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

so what is the verdict, do we only test the students or should everyone faculty,staff, bus drivers, the whole kit and kaboodle be required to take random drug test during the year and must pass before being hired in the first place?

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JACKSHEPARD: No I haven't seen American Beauty, maybe I'll find the time to watch it though unless you can enlighten me. I drug test my children because I DO love them. My life and marriage to their father was destroyed due to drugs. I never want to be caught off guard again. If they know I'm watching and testing I can only hope and pray that they will be too afraid to test the theory of "Mom will never know" because I can pop a drug test at any time on them and they know that.

I can see where it comes across as controlling but when you think about it it's really no different than keeping up with their grades (they can do it themselves but I follow up to make sure they are doing the best they can-otherwise I would never look at their report card I'd just take their word for it that they had straight A's. do you look at your kids report cards? Or do you just trust them to tell you what they have in school?). It's also no different than them going to the beach with some friends and saying that "adults will be there" for the safety of my children I make sure I know where they are going to stay and if in fact adults will be there, do you find out where your kids are when they go to the beach and the family that they are going with or do you just let them leave and not know where they will be staying?.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 9:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Part 2 to JACKSHEPARD: Teenagers will lie, I did it, mine have done it. And I don't want to find out 5 years into a drug problem that began with pot and led up to crack and is destroying their lives that maybe I could have done something when they were under my roof BEFORE IT DESTROYS (most drug addicts don't wake up one day and decide that's what they want to be it's a process to get there). This way there are no regrets, I truly feel like it's another way of showing them that I love them. After the drug test I always tell them I'm proud of you that this is negative and this just earns more trust.

Discipline is another thing that parents don't enjoy but sometimes it's necessary. Doesn't mean I don't love them but if I just do nothing that's not showing love it's neglect.

Parent's can be naive they don't know what their kids might do in certain situations. I understand how it looks but I'm not my kids friend I'm their mother. I can be their friend and listen to them but I have to also be a parent. It's not really about trust, so much as it's about I've seen it and I've lived it and I know what's out there, heck I know the games, because I mastered them/wrote the book. It's better to find out through a little drug test than to find out after they are already hooked on something and their future is destroyed. If it offends them I'm sorry but for my family it's the right thing to do, and I think it's smart. I'm the parent it's not the other way around. Hope this helps you to see the other side as I see it even if you don't agree with it and I respect your opinion even if I don't agree with it. If all parents did this we wouldn't have 16 year olds overdosing accidentally and dying at such a young age because nobody noticed.
NOVEMBER, what's your take on this?

Posted by jchan (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well said thorsbyishome. i completely underdstand your point.

Posted by chilly1104 (anonymous) on June 18, 2009 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Everytime Jemison schools want to implement a new policy, parents scream "Lawsuit!" I'm shocked (and glad) parents are not threatening to sue Mr. Dejarnette and the BOE over drug testing their ever-innocent little angels.

Posted by livin4christ (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think that it's good that they are wanting to drug test, the only way we are going to ever get a control on drugs and maybe keep the children from becoming addicts, or worse killing their self is by doing drug test.
There are more drugs in schools, jails, and prisons than what there are on the streets.
Here is the kicker 95% of the drugs these teens get are straight out of their parnets medicine cabient, or a friend who has parnets that get prescription medication.
Today it's lortabs, valium, xanax and more stronger pain medication.
Plus in case noone has noticed meth is on the rise for teens.
It starts very early and everyone needs to come together to stop it.

I have seen this first hand go to a doctor, tell them something hurts, having trouble sleeping or that you are under alot of stress and watch what happens.

.Therefore rush in listen to heartbeat tell doctor where you hurt, get medicine and walked out in about an hour.

So yes drug testing needs to be done and parnets need to be more aware of what their kids are doing.
Just picture you having a boy or girl in high school that is abusing these drugs and they have a baby sister or brother that finds them, thinks that it's candy, takes all of them, then what? We sit back and say that poor family wish that something was done sooner, wake up people this is the sooner.
unless someone has something to hide then what is the problem? But look at todays way of life, all movie stars that do drugs, drink and drive nothing happens, a slap on the hand, what is that telling our young teens today?
They got away with it and so can I, and we all know that's not the way that it works, not in chilton, shelby, coosa,or any other county.
Want to stop drugs? Well if you do SHUT UP STOP CRYING AND GET A LIFE........ Which is more important our kids safety, or worrying about who going to pay for what?
To me the Kids are more important, taxes will always be here as long as we live but our kids may not.
And if some of you don't think no more of your kids, or even grandkids than that, well I guess what ever happens to them will just have to happen and when it does the first thing you will hear is, what could I have done different? And I pray to God that nothing ever does happen. I hate to hear these type of things in the news, espically when it ends up with someone dead, I don't wish that on anyone.If people today was like they was 40 or 50 years ago alot of the crap going on would not be going on. Truth is our country is not united, will we ever be?
Not in the way we are doing things at the moment.
Hope that people changed their minds about all of this and stand up and say YES we want drug testing in our schools.We want to know what is going on in our childrens life.
Teens having babies is on the rise, why do you think that is? It's by parnets not paying attention and being involed.. need to stand up for what is the right thing to do.

Posted by WhoKnows (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I really do not see what the big deal is. I get drug tested at my place of work. So what if you start testing in high school. Sooner or later you will have to take one.

Posted by juswannabeheard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would like to apologize for the caps only from yesterday. I had mistakenly hit my caps button and just went with it.

I drug test my kids. It isn't a matter of dominating them and making them do what I want them to do. It's a matter of insuring that they don't give in to peer pressure and that they form thier own personalities and moral standards. I have taught my kids to do things thier own way and be thier own person. If they are going to do drugs they are going to do them because its what they chose to do, not because thier friends chose it for them. My kids can look around at family members and see the distruction that drugs caused. The songs they listen to teach them what consequences come with drug usage. The fact that I drug test them means that they have to face why they did the drugs, thus forcing them to either admit they have a problem or teaches them a little more about real life.

My son can tell his friends that he can't do the dope because his mama will drug test him, or he can say no because he chooses to say no. Or... he can do it and hope that for the next 45 days I don't drug test him. Then if I do then he can tell me that he did it because it mellowed him out and why he needed the "mellowing out", (thus having to deal with emotional conflicts) or he can tell me did it because everyone else was doing it, (thus having to deal with his choice of friends and rather or not they are truly friends). Either way its a learning tool.

I'm for the school doing random drug testing. I don't know where the money will come from. Perhaps if the child test negative then the school pays for the test, but if it test positive the family pays for the test. Something, somewhere can be worked out. I also agree that it should be a private matter between the school, child, and parent. I don't hold out much hope that no one will find out, because everyone gossips. But as for officially it should be a private matter. We are talking minors here. Confidentiality about school records and health information will ensure that this information doesn't leak out..... too quickly. However, the public does need to keep in mind that when they test positive the JPO's are going to want to talk to them, so will other law enforcement. I think they should be able to. The kids won't tell them much, but at least it will act as a further deterent, and I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No on just said "Yes, I test my kids." Everyone said yes and then did enough explaining to make themselves feel better about it. I mean honestly, Thorsbyishome and justwannabeheard, your explanations are long enough to be considered a follow-up to War and Peace.

The fact of the matter is that you are placing a wedge between yourself and your children, even if they don't resent it now. And if you're close enough and involved enough in their lives, I think you'll be able to tell when/if they're smoking pot every day or start hitting the crack pipe without making them pee in a cup. I believe that's the principle difference between "checking up on their grades" and what we're talking about here.

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

JackShepard sounds like a teen; someone that has never been a parent! My kids will know that I tested them because I did in fact love them and do not want them to overdose like our next door neighbor's highschool child. My children have told me about kids doing drugs at their school, kids that had been allowed to spend the night at my house. I was shocked and saddened...

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

JackShepard: If I want to write a book I will, but thank you for the comment. Obviously you read it LOL. Your opinion is yours and your entitled to it. I'm not trying to defend myself because what I'm doing is the right thing to do for my family. I was only trying to get you to look outside the box.

There is NO difference in checking up on grades and checking up on them. If you fully trust your children, why do you look at their report cards? Don't you believe them?
I hope you don't wake up one day and realize your child is smoking pot and you had no idea because you just might not can spot it. Careful what you say now about the future, because words aren't too sweet when you have to eat them. Have a good day now.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

livinginthorsby: I think your right, with a little age and experience in parenting, he'll grow out of that. I've done alot of things that I said I'd NEVER do if I ever had kids. I too thought my parents were stupid and too strict but today I thank them.

Jchan: Thanks, LOL I'm glad to know someone understood since I was compared to writing about war and peace.

justwannabeheard: keep on writing, it makes sense to me.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THORSBYishome: I like your thinking. You are being proactive and it appears to me that you love your kids so much that you just are not willing to let a problem creep up on you. Like President Reagan used to say, "trust but verify." Keep on doing what you think is the right thing. When your kids are grown they will be glad that they were raised by a MOTHER instead of a "friend". I see kids all the time that are raised by parents that want to be "friends" and whose idea of discipline is a "timeout". They are easy to spot.

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

thorsbyishome: " I've done alot of things that I said I'd NEVER do if I ever had kids."
By that same token, I did alot of things my parents never found out about! Things that I would punish my children for doing! So, yes, I am more intrusive. But I know when they tell me they are spending the night with John or Sue that they are truly at that child's house and not running the roads in South Side, Birmingham.

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For the record, I am 29. I have a 3 month old son, and if it ever gets to the point that I have to drug test him to find out if he is on drugs, then I have already slipped up as a parent. I think its great that you have the right to drug test your children. I just don't want you to have the right to test mine, because that's my business as a parent. Everyone is so quick to throw someone else's civil liberties under the bus, but at the same time don't want someone else's infringing on their personal beliefs (i.e. the long, drawn-discussion about the lesbian teacher that will not go away). So, you can all enjoy patting each other on the back and telling each other what great parents you and that maybe one day "young Jack Shepard will understand when he grows up." My parents didn't drug test me, and I never did drugs. Not every child is the one next door that you never knew had a drug problem. Come on out of the bomb shelter everyone, everything is going to be ok.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

NOOOOVVVVEEMMMMMBBBERRR LOL where have you been? I just LOVE the way you put things. Thank you for bringing out the Friend vs Parent thing, this is a problem with today's society. Parent's want to be popular, parent's aren't popular if they are doing their JOB, or at least I'm not LOL.

"trust but verify" Good point.

You take care and keep posting there are those of us that listen and take heed of your good points and wisdom.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

JackShepard: You have a 3 month old son, NOT a 16 year old son, however when you do hit me back because I never thought I would have to do the parenting I've had to do either. I didn't envision having to drug test until I had teenagers, when they were babies life was good I was in full control.

You need to get out of the "bomb shelter" if you think your parenting will ALWAYS cause your child to do the right thing. His friends will sometimes persuade him to NOT do the right thing or sometimes he will waiver from what he has been taught because everyone else is doing it. I've never done drugs either and my parent's didn't drug test but back in 1980 and 1971 things were not like they are today either.

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well there ya go JackShephard, get back with me in 14 years :) As a parent of an 18, 16 and 12 year old. They have tested me in ways I never thought they would when they were 3 months old!!

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think my parenting will cause my child to always do what I want. As a matter of fact, I am counting on it. Does that open the door the helicopter parenting? Not in my opinion. You go right ahead though, hover away. And maybe if you try hard enough you can convince your children to be like Peter Pan and never grow up, never move away, and never ever marry Wendy.

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's funny JackShepard. Ask my son if I stifled his growth :) Let's see he is moving to Tuscaloosa this fall to start college, I let him work in Arkansas last summer for 3 months, he is able to come and go as he pleases as long as I know his whereabouts, he chooses to work 2 jobs and takes a math class at Jeff State, his girlfriend comes over on a regular basis, they attend church together...but you are right, my "hovering" has caused him to become a recluse and I hate to say it, but I guess he will never be a productive member of society (eyes rolling). You know what else, he is so upset with my "hovering" that he calls me everytime he leaves or arrives at a new destination and the last thing he tells me is "I love you, mom" see you soon...I'm such a terrible parent.

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He is moving all the way to Arkansas to not have to pee in a cup! :)

What are you going to do when he leaves for college? Rent a real helicopter to go up there every afternoon and air-drop cookies and drug-testing supplies?

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

HA, no not a baker. He also cooks for himself! But I do plan to go up there on game day. Can't wait to sit in the student section and cheer on the TIDE. By the way, he isn't moving to Arkansas, it's TUSCALOOSA. Once he is out of my house, he can choose to make the wrong decision or the right one. But for now, he's under my roof, driving a 2008 vehicle that I am paying for, so yep, I'll test, test, away.

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You're going to sit in the student section with him? I'm sure there will be a lot of people there who need drug testing, and I bet they'd be willing to pee in a cup since the walk back to the restrooms is so long.

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What no more chilren's book comments. You are so naive; it's hilarious. Anyhoo, the topic of the article is drug testing athletes, which by the results in the poll section, I am in the majority by agreeing that it is a good idea. Perhaps you should put down Peter Pan and watch the movie Taken. You remind me of the mother in the movie.

Posted by psychologistdmp (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not a parent. So, the only experience I can give as an example is the way my parents treated me as a teenager. They were very respectful of me and my sibling, but when it came time to discipline, they did not hold back. If they knew or even thought I was doing something inappropriate, they addressed it with me. However, I can honestly say that drugs were never an issue. If my parents felt like they were, I would have expected them to want me to take a drug test.

This is where I have a problem. If you suspect your child of using or if they have attempted to hide things from you in the past, by all means, test them. Yet, if there have been no signs and if you really trust your children, why test them?

By the way, if anyone is interested in learning more about the signs of drug use/abuse I would recommend the following site:

www.drugfree.org

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations on being in the marority. What did you have to do, show up?

And you call me naive, and then tell me to stop reading and start watching more movies...movies like "Taken." You do know that was movie was fictional, right? Liam Neeson is an actor and isn't really a former CIA Agent, his daughter has never been kidnapped, and he has never killed a bunch of people to get her back. Get a life.

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No, young Jack, I said A MOVIE, one, singular. It's as fictional as Peter Pan...only made for adults. Wikipedia was helpful, huh.

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at noon (Suggest removal)

So was IMDB.

Liam Neeson's resume: no mention of CIA Work.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/

Other breaking news: Steven Segal is not part Indian, and he has never rescued an Alaskan Inuit village from evil, environmentally unfriendly bad guys.

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Also, sadly, Chuck Norris has never been a Texax Ranger. I really, honestly hate to be the one who has to tell you all of this.

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tut, tut, tut, tut. Your age is showing again, time for a nap. Put your toys away and go to sleep.

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll put away my Jean Claude Van Damme figurine...oh that reminds me, in real life he isn't a pit fighter struggling through the pitfighting ranks to provide for his single-mother girlfriend. He's just an actor too.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

psychologistdump: (sp) Very well said, if you don't have a doubt children fully it's okay not to drug test them. What is good in some households might not work in others but if you see some of these signs it's better to be safe than sorry.

As I said before drug addicts don't wake up one day and say I'm going to be one, it's a process. The journey with some is slower than others but pot is a gateway drug and can lead to other drugs. They could also be an alcoholic at 16 and if they never show any signs of it until they start losing jobs you may not know it.

livinginthorsby: JackShepard will have to learn parenting skills as she goes, hopefully she will never be forced or want to drug test her son. I pray so,that would be a blessing. But nobody knows what the future holds, never say never.

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And I hope I am never a she...and I mean NEVER!

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well Jack,

Being a she isn't so bad...

Thorsbyishome is correct in that "What is good in some households might not work in others".

I don't beleive school boards should be deciding whether someone else's child should be drug tested. The kids whose parents can't provide the money, health insurance and transportation, required for participation in atheletic activities, won't be getting drug tested, patted on the back for being a great athlete or praised for being drug free.

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Being a she might not be so bad, but I don't want to go through the transition process that would require.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way, how many kids at CCHS have collapsed during practice because of drug use? Is this an issue? Could it be, just the heat?

Let’s see... if the Coach has a kid "fall out" at practice because of heat exhaustion, that would shed a glum light on the coach; however, if that same kid failed his drug test, then we sure can't blame the coach for that, now can we. What’s up with that?

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hee, Hee!

That was very witty, Mr. Shepard. ☺

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I suppose that those of us who have grown or almost grown kids will now be MUCH better parents since we have been taken to the woodshed by a parent with a whopping 3 months of experience. A three month old child, while completely capable of pooping in places where poop shouldn't be, and causing endless nights of sleeplessness, is not yet exposed to other kids at school and other places and tempted with all sorts of mischief. He is also not driving yet, (I hope!) so he is a bit more limited in his exposure to things that could eventually kill him. And, he has not yet learned how to cover his tracks, but he will, especially if his parent suffers from the dillusion that HIS child will never make the mistake of using drugs because you are such an observant parent that your child could NEVER hide such a thing from you. Really, Mr. Shepard, you just don't yet have the experience base to make some of the statements that you have made. But, you are certainly free to make them. You cannot get parenting experience from a book, or learn it at school. You can ONLY get that experience the hard way. When my kids were babies I thought I knew all I needed to about raising kids, too. Very soon, though, as they got a little older I started to figure out that I wasn't quite as smart as I thought I was. I must have done something right though, my girls turned out just fine.

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well put Nov! Jack is probably up from his nap by now and can respond accordingly :)

Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on June 19, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TGIF ...

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A Tweetie on the TGIF, Dude!

Posted by urentitled2myopinion (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That means no new paper so just more comments on the same topics or off topic comments!

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't we have a Saturday paper?

Posted by livinginthorsby (anonymous) on June 19, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ya know, KW, NOV, TIH, you can't teach experience...for those of us that have lived long enough to raise teens and adults, we have learned through experience. My son's friend in the 10th grade will be a dad next month. His parents thought they were on top of everything too. I would love to see the Advertiser print a story on "civil liberties" for kids; what a joke. The only liberty they have is to live in their parent's house.

Posted by Khionne (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So since you drug test your children because of lack of trust, do you also monitor their computer use? TV use? Cell phone use?

Posted by livin4christ (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good Lord people, the most important thing here is our kids.
Are we going to be their friend or are we going to be a parnet?
drug testing isn't that big of deal espically if it can stop them from becoming addicts or worse, they could end up dead because of an overdose.
so which would you rather have a 20.00 drug test or a 7000.00 funeral?

Posted by hunka (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Shepard, You need to grow up. You will eat those words one day. All I can tell you is I am older and made the mistake one time that thinking my kids would do not wrong. After all, I thought like you, it all revolved around my #1 parenting skills. I was the best. Boy, did my kids show me something. No matter how good you raise them and how much you take them to church, they will try something one day and there is nothing you can do about it except pray and realize that you have done the best you can.
Yes, I think drug testing is a wonderful idea. I teach and I see alot of things, and people there are alot more things out there to try and experience than you think. We need to protect our children. Dejarnett is doing this for that reason. I think all schools should do it.
kittycreek - Spain Park does drug test. The reason being is they go to state every year and that insures their safety. We need to be alot more like them. We need good programs that will allow us to follow in their footsteps and the coach and principal are on the right path.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Khionne: Computer use monitored - check, tv us monitored - check, cell phone use monitored -check, check.

It's our job to insure that we monitor these things. Kids may think they are talking online to another 15 year old instead it's a 70year old perv. You DO have to give children some freedom to make mistakes on their own, but I monitor the things that can jeopardize their well being or safety first.

I pay for the light bill and i pay the cell phone bill. Until they get it in their name it will be right there detailed on my bill every month. If you have teens Don't you check these things from time to time?

Posted by hunka (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THORSBYishome - You go girl. I agree 100%! Just remember what we talked about several weeks ago and I will drug test as long as my kids live under my roof and I pay the bills.

Posted by Khionne (anonymous) on June 20, 2009 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That just shows how naive you are if you think you truly do monitor their computer use. I can almost guarantee you that your children have looked at something bad on the internet, simply because it's so easy to hide. I bet if you looked in your userdata you'd find stuff you never thought would be there.

Testing them just shows your lack of trust in your children, which would lead them to hide more things from you. If you trust your children, and believe in your own parenting skills, it shouldn't be necessary to test them. It's essentially saying "I don't trust you, or your word so because of that I'm going to test you just to make sure you're telling the truth." Which very well might push your child away from trusting in you.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 21, 2009 at 12:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Khionne, how old are your children? How many years have you been a parent? I'm just curious.

I am POSITIVE that there are things they look at on the internet with friends that their not supose to. I do however monitor their use here. Not to say I catch everything but a keylogger works well when your trying to catch them lying. My kids may lie but I can usually tell if I need to do something more drastic to catch them and they know that I will. If I just set them in front of a computer or a TV as a babysitter it would truly be alot easier to parent, but I don't I PARENT. I guide them, I instruct them, and pray to GOD everyday that this is sinking in. My child asked me mom if I asked you to take a drug test would you? My reply to that was we'll go right now and I'll take one (I did and passed by the way LOL), I'll never ask anything of you that I can't do myself. I lead by example. I'm firm but loving and you can call it "not trusting" or whatever you wish, I guess I don't trust them at 16 to make as good of a decision as they will at 26.

It simply lets them know they can't hide much from me, it keeps them on their guard. Their friends come over here and swim, play loud music, laugh and enjoy life, so if life were really that bad I don't think they would bring their friends over, looks like they would be running and screaming to get away. They know what I expect of them and I reward them accordingly by the cars they drive, the clothes they wear etc. but if they screw up they can figure out how hard it is without those things. I'm proud of my kids and truthfully would change a thing about how I'm parenting now after I see some of the parents around me not even caring where their child is at 3:00 in the morning. But as a parent we are always learning, this is just my way it's right for my family but may not be right for yours Khionne and that's okay it's your family. To each their own. Good Luck to you and happy parenting from one parent to another.

Posted by Khionne (anonymous) on June 21, 2009 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Haha, I got to keylogger and I stopped reading. You actually went out and purchased a keylogger to keep tabs on what they type, read, and see? Sounds a little paranoid to me.

Posted by JackShepard (anonymous) on June 22, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I need to grow up? You people were all over this website on Father's Day weekend while I was spending time with my son and wife. And for the record, I don't need any of this "you are young and don't understand" or "we're older than you so your opinion is stupid" crap. Keep shoveling that garbage to your kids and see how long it takes them to figure out that you think you know everything and they'll stop listening to you. I WAS that teenager a short time ago, and I listening to you all badger me for disagreeing with you makes me realize that ignoring you is probably the best idea.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 22, 2009 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All lot of teens are very smart and trustworthy individuals. I wouldn't assume that they are out to sneak around and do drugs or tell lies unless I had a specific reason to suspect them. Actually, I think this article was more about steroids and other performance enhancement drugs and supplements. If they're concerned about other drugs, then they should consider random testing of all students.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 22, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't believe that I have badgered you JackShepard but if I have I apologize, just giving another point of view. My teenagers are different than when they were smaller children. I hope you never have to endure the heartache of drugs or have it touch you and your family. Best wishes to you.

I still stand by my opinion that drug testing would be good for the athletes and considered part of the requirements but must be confidential and handled with care if done.

Khionne, think whatever you wish about me. You raise yours (if you have any-that was the first sentence BEFORE the word keylogger LOL) and I'll raise mine and hopefully they all will turn out okay.

Posted by Khionne (anonymous) on June 22, 2009 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh, I read that comment. Was just in a rush and didn't have time to answer. I have 2 kids, 17 and 19 both boys. And I do agree that it would be good for athletes because of the different types of substances they might use such as steroids.

However when you break that barrier of trust with a child, and then to have them turn around and not trust you and ask you to take a drug test. Just shows that there isn't a real deep trust there.

Posted by juswannabeheard (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry it took so long to get back into the groove on this story.

All I really want to say to any of this is that I don't have to justify to anyone how I parent my child, as long as it isn't abusive. But when my child is older and looks at me and says mom, you never knew such and such about me..... it won't be about drugs. It might be that my child stole street signs (honestly, who hasn't), it might be that my child faked a grade on his report card, (honestly who hasn't), it might be that my child took my car out joy riding when he thought he could get away with it, (honestly who hasn't) or it may even be that he went skinny dipping, (honestly.....) but it won't be "mom I was smoking weed every chance I got and you never knew."

I never said that I would test my kid on a regular basis. And I don't recall anyone else saying that. I just said I would test him and have tested him. Let me tell you why I tested him. 1. He came home with a bunch of friends and he was obviously wasted. 2. He admitted to do weed, and I felt it prudent to make sure weed was all he was doing. 3. I felt it important to reenforce to my child that I was the adult and to give him a little taste of what he would have to face if he were to be involved witht the court system. Do you think the JPO office cares that as a parent you are the only ones with the right to drug test your child? Not even close.

Judge Hardesty will not only drug test your child, but the parents too. So remember that while trusting your child is great, fine, and wonderful... You are trusting them not only in your household but when you get to Court when they do something too.

Posted by LittleLady (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

haha...I wonder how long it would take me to read all this crap. ;)

Oh yeah, I have a 5 year old girl and I'm a Christian woman, I'd be just fine if they had some kind of drug testing program in place by the time she gets in junior high. I think many many parents are gonna get a big shock when all this takes place.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Very well said Juswannabeheard.

Posted by Khionne (anonymous) on June 23, 2009 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

See, you had a reason to think your child was doing drugs. You weren't just testing blindly because you can, and felt like it, like "THORSBY" is doing. Also, mentioning Judge Hardesty, what a corrupt judge she is. But that really is the entire judicial system in Chilton County, so corrupt and highly influenced by who knows who.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Khionne's QUOTE: You weren't just testing blindly because you can, and felt like it, like "THORSBY" is doing.

Who said I was testing blindly? I never said I was testing BLINDLY. Put it to you this way and maybe you will understand, NOBODY just randomly tests their children, they have to have a reason to believe the test is needed or at least something making them suspect something going wrong in their life. And if you suspect something you follow up on it or you look the other way, whichever you prefer, I chose to follow up on it before it becomes an addiction that destroys a life.

I think we've beat this dead horse to death, don't you or do you want to continue?

I don't know Judge Hardesty but have only heard good things about her. She comes across very hard from what I've heard, but lets face it the people that go before her aren't there to have cake, ice cream and a party. So some of those people and/or their parents might not care much for her. (Don't know if that's your case or not) The ENTIRE judicial system in Chilton County is not corrupt, don't group everyone into a big ole pile unless you know every single one of them personally which I doubt. (A better statement might be "most or some" are corrupt but ENTIRE, I highly doubt it)

Go to another county and see what you get. Or are all county's in Alabama corrupt as well? LMAO

Posted by FlowerChild (anonymous) on October 14, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So,has a decision been made on this?As a parent I can understand the concerns about drugs,but as an American I'm even more concerned over the issue of warrantless searches.I disagree with the courts ruling that the 1st ammendment doesn't apply to minors.I say it applies to ALL Americans.