Sitka High's random drug tests could expand beyond sports and add alcohol and nicotine

Sitka High students in activities sanctioned by the Alaska School Activities Association, not just the sports covered now, would go into one random drug-testing pool under a draft policy the school district's policy committee was set to take up Wednesday. The tests would also check for alcohol and nicotine for the first time.

Sitka's current rule, which dates to 2000, covers 11 listed sports, from baseball and wrestling to cheerleading and drill team. About 5% of a team is tested each week during its season, and the rule says students "shall not be tested for the presence of any substance other than an illegal drug."

Each week while any covered activity is in season, 5% of the whole pool would be picked at random, and a student could be picked two weeks in a row. The superintendent would keep the list of covered activities, so the draft doesn't say how many students would be included.

Along with drugs like THC, cocaine and opioids, the urine test would screen for alcohol, nicotine, fentanyl and benzodiazepines. Students wouldn't have to disclose prescriptions ahead of time, and a lawfully prescribed medication wouldn't count as a violation.

Families could also end up paying. Right now, every positive result goes to a lab and a physician. Under the draft, a positive on-site screen would be treated as presumptive, and families would have 24 hours to ask for a lab test of the same sample, or the result would stand. If the lab confirms it, the student or parent pays "the reasonable cost of the laboratory confirmation." If the lab clears the student, the district pays.

Penalties would climb with each offense: 20 days out of all activities for a first, then 45 days, 180 days and a full year. Today, a positive test means sitting out the season or 30 school days, whichever is longer. A first offense could be cut to 10 days if the student and a parent complete an ASAA course and the student does 10 hours of community service. Refusing a test or tampering with one would bring the full suspension.

A positive result alone couldn't lead to an academic penalty, and results couldn't be shared with police except when the law requires it. A student could ask for help before being picked, but not after.

The committee turned down a different approach in September, when staff recommended copying Ketchikan's rule, which tests about 10% of students every other week and reaches into middle school. Members instead asked for two drafts, one covering any activity with travel and one tied to ASAA activities. Only the ASAA version was in this week's packet.

The committee doesn't adopt policy itself. Its drafts go to the school board, where the public can comment before a final vote on a second reading. The draft itself recommends a legal review before it's adopted.