Our Viewpoint Editorials
JISD takes positive step in fight against drugs

The Jasper Independent School District is looking into stepping up its fight against drugs with the formation of a task force to looking into random drug testing of its students.

The task force will hold a series of meetings to look into the issue before making a final recommendation to the JISD board.

The drug testing would affect all UIL students, academic or athletic, and any student, who drives a vehicle to a school campus.

These students would submit to random drug testing with a three-phase stage set up for those who fail a drug test.

According to Jasper ISD Superintendent Butch Dean, the measure is being considered to give students another reason to stay away from drugs.

"We don't want to use this is as a punishment program but we want to really give a kid a chance to say 'no,'" Dean said. "We just want to give a kid a chance to say 'no, I'm in the band or football team' and give them a chance to walk away from it."

Jasper is not re-inventing the wheel with this measure. The Kirbyville Consolidated School District implemented a similar process this past year with great results.

Kirbyville Superintendent Dr. Joe Burns said the program was welcomed in the district and he believes the program has helped student-athletes stay on the right path.

This program should be widely endorsed by the Jasper community. The school district and its board of trustees are once again taking a progressive step in the fight against drug usage in the community.

While some may argue that the drug testing infringes on student's right, the flip side of the coin shows that students are sent to school to learn and be educated, not enhance any drug activity.

The program will give students another reason to turn away from a lifestyle that will only lead them down a wrong path.

Studies show that certain drugs only serve as a gateway to more harmful drugs in the future. A program such as this just might keep that one student from experimenting with something that will only do him harm in the future.

Drug activity is active in the Jasper community. Our police agencies can only do so much in their fight against drugs. Now, our educational system has taken a positive step to join in this fight and maybe with the help of our community's leaders, we will make a strong statement to the drug community that their business is no longer wanted or needed in Jasper.