The Lakeland Ledger reported Oct. 11 that the Polk County School District accepted $12,000 from the Community First Credit Union to start the Voluntary Student Drug Testing program, similar to clubs in schools in Wisconsin and Louisiana. Club members would be tested by a nurse on a biweekly basis for recreational drug use, and would be eligible for prizes like gift certificates.

Student athletes in the district already are tested for drugs. Audrey Kelley-Fritz said parents and teachers in the district tell her they wish the testing program were broader. "They wish we could test more kids," she said. "We think this would kind of complement our existing program."

Students who test positive would be suspended from the club and receive counseling, and their parents will be informed of the test results. Parents also will be told if the student decides to leave the club, which is voluntary. "It's important they know what their kids are deciding to do or not to do," said Kelley-Fritz.

School officials are hoping that 25 percent of students join the club, and that self-reported drug-use surveys reflect at least a 5-percent decline by next spring.

Mulberry High Principal George Hatch said he's not worried about parents objecting to the program. "Why would you not want your son or daughter to be drug-free?" he said. 

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