A little more than a quarter into the school year, what are some reactions to Trinity’s mandatory random drug and alcohol testing policy? Students, parents and the larger community were informed at the end of last school year that the policy would go into effect in August. Students are required to provide a sample of their hair for the test, performed by Psychemedics Corporation.

Trinity Principal Dan Zoeller, counselor Dr. Aaron Striegel, Senior Class President Michael Hiestand and junior Drew Kuebler answered a few questions about the policy.

What reactions to the testing have you seen so far?  

Zoeller: “Ninety-five percent of the reactions that I have heard from people about the drug testing has been positive. I think people have accepted the idea of the new policy and understand what this school provides for its students.  They like that it is a helping approach first.”       

Will the policy have an impact on area schools?

Zoeller: “Two schools in our area are now seriously considering a drug-testing policy similar to ours. We believe this can have a positive impact community-wide.”

How would you have reacted to this policy when you were in high school?

Zoeller: “I think I would have been reluctant at first. I think I would have thought that it was a violation of my freedom in some ways, but I would have come to realize that it was the best for me and my school. I know students I went to school with that this policy could have really helped — and made their lives better in the process if they had gotten the help earlier in life.”

Why are you in favor of the policy?

Striegel: “I grew up with an alcoholic father, so I have seen firsthand how destructive that environment can be. For example, at 14 years old you’re 40 percent more likely to become addicted to a substance. If we can cut down on drug/alcohol use, the risk of addiction will become lower and lower.”

What do you think of the policy?

Kuebler: “In a way it’s an invasion because I think the school shouldn’t really be involved with that. I’m not saying it isn’t right for them to be involved, but it’s more of a family matter than a school matter, like parents should be the ones who deal with a drug or alcohol problem rather than the school. I think it has both good sides and bad sides. I think it’ll help out kids who abuse drugs. It doesn’t affect me personally, but overall I think it’s good.”

Hiestand: “Although it took me a while to get fully on board with the idea of mandatory drug testing, over time I have come to embrace the idea because of how much it can really help my Trinity brothers. If something as simple as a drug test has the potential to prevent a Trinity student from going down the wrong path and messing up his whole future, then I see no reason why it shouldn’t be implemented in Trinity High School policy.”