As you may have heard, Lewisville ISD has formed the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Task Force (SDFSC) to combat drug use in our schools and community. This group, comprised of students, parents, LISD employees and community members, is in the process of exploring opportunities to help students make responsible choices that will help them reach their full potential.

It is obvious that state and federal laws are not enough of a deterrent to prevent young people from using drugs and alcohol. I have always believed the true deterrent is parental involvement and from that, students choosing to surround themselves with positive influences. Now, parents are calling out for assistance more than ever in the war against drugs going on in their own home. LISD is there to answer this call, while also realizing we are not the ultimate answer but a part of the solution.

The drug task force is on the verge of making their recommendations to the Board of Trustees. I believe, and hope, these recommendations will be the beginning of a random drug-testing program that will ultimately grow into a mandatory program for all students who participate in extracurricular activities. The hope for this recommendation should build a stronger partnership between parents and schools to provide a higher level of education and deterrence against the use of illegal, prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Currently, the SDFSC is exploring methods, cost, policy and implementation of drug testing in other school districts in the metroplex such as Dallas ISD and Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. The task force’s goal is to provide the most comprehensive information it can so that when it comes time for the board to make a decision, they will have the full picture.

As a task force member and a School Board Trustee, I know the SDFSC has done a fine job bringing together many different opinions on where this policy should go. I do not believe drug testing is going to be a way for schools to get kids into trouble, but instead, a method to guide a child back onto the right path. It will also be a way for schools and parents to intervene at the early stages of abuse with counseling and parental knowledge. If caught and addressed early enough, these actions can prevent years of poor choices.

LISD is by no means looking to incorporate the duties of a law enforcement agency nor is it looking for frivolous ways to spend precious tax dollars. We are simply looking for a logical process to prevent and stop student drug use. Let’s face it, as parents we need all the help we can get in order to help our children stay on the path to success. LISD is hoping to become the partner that will strengthen the positive influence you started the moment they were born.