LPG

MATHEWS – A Lafourche Parish Council member’s crusade to randomly drug test public-school employees was derailed Tuesday night, but he sees the setback as only temporary.

The council member, Lindel Toups of Gheens, is coming back with a measure that would require drug testing of large groups of people receiving public money, including from welfare, Social Security or disability payments.

The council does not have the power to enact any of the plans. But what Toups sought from the body was a proclamation of support for the drug testing plan addressed to state legislators.

Council members defeated Toups’ request for a Louisiana law requiring random drug-testing in schools, by a 7-1 margin.

The sole member voting in favor was Toups himself.

“They’re scared to get sued,” Toups said.

Undaunted, Toups announced his new plan for drug tests of people receiving public money.

Councilman Phillip Gouaux said he would support that proposal because it does not single out any individual or group.

Toups said his proposal would require mandatory drug testing for public-housing tenants as well.

His proposal for drug testing in schools drew opposition from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and the American Civil Liberties Union, which threatened legal action.

Both organizations say his proposal is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits from illegal search and seizure.

A nearly half-hour contentious debate between council members and local teachers erupted during the meeting over that issue.

Among four teachers who spoke against the proposal was Ray

Barrios with Central Lafourche High School.

“You’re not going to trample on the rights of these people or challenge the rights of the U.S. Constitution,” Barrios said. “It’s an affront to the education system of Lafourche Parish.”

Toups fired back.

“Drugs are here to stay. And if it’s for the better of our kids, we should do it,” he said.

Other teachers shared Barrios’ sentiments.

“I support the notion that students need to value our constitution as written. And I support that this resolution, if passed as is, its cost would heavily outweigh its benefits … to spend thousands to yield little results,” said Jared Foreman, a teacher at Central Lafourche High.

Councilman Joe Fertitta voiced the strongest opposition of the eight present council members. Daniel Lorraine was absent.

Fertitta said the council would overstep its legal boundaries and assume a School Board responsibility if it passed the proposal.

“If this resolution passes, I request the school pass a resolution that all police jury and council members take the ACT test and score above a 25 to serve,” Fertitta said.