Positive Nicotine Test To Keep Student From Prom

The Indy Channel ^ | 4-25-2002

[rmmcdaniell]

HARTFORD CITY, Ind.-- The Indiana Civil Liberties Union plans to take the case of a Blackford High School student who was banned from the senior prom after testing positive for nicotine in a random drug test.

Rob Mahon, 18, did not smoke on school property and is upset that he's being punished for an activity that is legal for someone his age.

But school officials said Mahon (pictured, left), who is the editor of the school newspaper, knew the rules prohibiting drugs, alcohol and nicotine before he agreed to the testing that's required for those in extracurricular activities. ICLU attorney Ken Falk believes that Mahon has a case.

"It (the policy) became a problem when you're being punished for doing something off-grounds which is legal," Falk said. "This is as if the school said, 'If you read a certain book at home, you'll be punished at school.' It's ridiculous."

Community reaction to the school's decision is mixed, but some teachers believe the punishment is too harsh.

The prom is scheduled for May 4, but Falk is hopeful an agreement can be reached before then

[Phantom Lord]

Wait a minute. The test was "random" yet one must submit to one for extra curricular activities? That doesnt sound random to me.

And students must take a drug test to go to the prom?

Government Schools are F'en out of control. But "its for the children" so the sheeple follow along in full approval.

[gdani]

Time will tell what the effect of these stupid policies will be on kids. The policies will either make them robots - which the schools would like - or rebels - which would be ironic.

I just wonder if these kids have been subjected to this BS long enough and on such a consistent basis - i.e. brainwashed - that it's now "normal" for them.

[Corin Stormhands]

Times are so different from the 70s when there was a designated smoking pit outside...

[gdani]

Times are so different from the 70s when there was a designated smoking pit outside...

And the 80's....

[Corin Stormhands]

And the 80's....

I am soooooooooo old...

[pubmom]

I'm with the student on this. If he wasn't engaged in the activity on school property where it is illegal, and he's of legal age to smoke, he should not be punished.

It isn't as if he came to school drunk or high.

[Phantom Lord]

It isn't as if he came to school drunk or high.

Drugs are bad, Mmmkay

[Lazamataz]

"This is as if the school said, 'If you read a certain book at home, you'll be punished at school.'"

This is coming next.

[Phantom Lord]

But the article states that he failed a random test, yet a couple of sentences later it said he had to submit to the test for extra curricular activities.

Which was it, random or required?

[gdani]

Which was it, random or required?

Both. But they don't test everyone at once. (At least that's my impression of these things).

[grimalkin]

Lord help these people... they've lost their marbles.

[HELLRAISER II]

Sounds like the school board members need to be talked to outside a public hearing if you know what I mean, some may call it a threat. I would just call it gentle persuasion.

[southernnorthcarolina]

...banned from the senior prom after testing positive for nicotine in a random drug test.

Reminds me of an old gag on the Benny Hill Show:

Nurse (pointing to a jar on a shelf across the room): "Can you fill that jar for me?"

Benny: "Not from here."

[Gabz]

HMMMMMMMMMMMM..........The Civil Liberties Union actually doing something that makes sense for a change, will wonders never cease!!!!

[tomkat]

might i suggest this be added to the homeschoolers' bump list as well ?

sounds like great ammo for 'em !

this out-of-control PC bullshit simply has to be contributing to the dropout rate.

i graduated national honor society from HS ('73), but if i'd had to put up w/six hours
of these NEA nazis everyday, there's no doubt i'd have quit and gotten a GED...

[Exit148]

Nicotine?? Why is that on the 'forbidden' list? Are the teachers checked for nicotine, too?

Let's hope they don't add caffeine. No coffee, coca cola, or the dreaded root beer!

[Wolfie]

He has to submit to the randomness. In other words, he submits to having his name goes into the hat, when it gets pulled, he pees.