Student drug tests pondered in Biddeford

As students returned to some schools Wednesday and prepared to return to others in the days ahead, efforts to prevent violence and drug abuse were priorities for the new academic year in districts across Maine.

At least one southern Maine district is so concerned about substance abuse that it is considering a drug-testing policy for students.

The Biddeford School Committee voted unanimously Tuesday night to look into formulating a policy allowing random drug tests. Board members said they will proceed cautiously on the sensitive issue.

Concerns about school violence and harassment, which rose in the wake of deadly rampages in schools in other states, were heightened in Maine after a survey that revealed widespread worries among third graders about bullying.

“Clearly, over the last couple of years there’s been heightened interest in bullying and harassment issues,” said Education Department spokesman Yellow Light Breen.

Brunswick schools plan to call off classes Oct. 9 for an all-day violence prevention workshop for kindergartners through high school seniors. Brunswick schools reopen next Tuesday.

A new mandate stemming from a Legislative study requires all schools in the state to write codes of conduct that promote civility and ethical behavior.

In addition, 28 schools across the state are receiving grants from the state to develop a range of conflict resolution programs, Breen said.

The heavy emphasis on harassment and bullying issues may have deflected interest about drug and alcohol prevention programs, said Roger Richards of the department’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools program. Richards said he has not seen many schools considering drug tests or similar efforts this year.

“I don’t believe the local schools have the money to address these issues if they want to,” Richards said. Applications for those programs are not due until Sept. 15, he noted.

Augusta students are among the first in the state to return to school this year. First- through ninth-graders returned to capital city schools Wednesday, and the remaining high school students go back on Thursday.

Bangor schools reopen Tuesday, classes resume in Portland next Wednesday, and Sanford students return the next day, Sept. 7.

Presque Isle High School reopened Aug. 14, but students get a break for the potato harvest from Sept. 17 to Oct. 9.