Dibrell teacher tests positive for meth use – Kirby produces two negative drug tests to refute allegation
Dibrell Elementary’s teacher of the year tested positive for meth last Sunday after a meth lab reportedly belonging to her son was found in her basement.
However, kindergarten teacher Anita Kirby adamantly maintains she does not use drugs and furnished the Standard with two voluntary drug tests she took last week to prove it. Kirby has not been charged with any crime.
‘I took these tests to clear my name,’ said Kirby. ‘I do not use drugs and I have the proof. I’m going to carry copies around in my pocketbook for anyone who wants to take a look.’
One of Kirby’s two negative drug tests was a hair follicle test which is supposed to be the most accurate method of determining drug use. It can detect drugs in a person’s system up to 90 days later, according to Jo Lunsford, who operates McMinnville-based On Site Drug Screens.
The incident which led to Kirby’s positive drug test occurred last Sunday. According to a sheriff’s department report, Kirby and her husband, Terry, were having a domestic problem with their son, Brad, who was living in the finished basement of their Frisco Road home.
Officers were called and were given permission to search the home. ‘We thought he was on something,’ said Anita referring to her son. ‘We wanted them to come in and find it so we would know once and for all what it was.’
The meth-related items were reportedly found in Brad Kirby’s basement bedroom and in his truck. According to the police report, those items include glassware with red stains, aluminum foil, a flask, coffee filters and drain cleaner.
Brad Kirby is charged with manufacture of meth, possession of marijuana, and child abuse or neglect since his 4-year-old son was at the home. The presence of the child is the reason the Department of Children’s Services was called to the scene.
DCS worker Melba Mooneyham came to the home and drug tested Anita and her grandson. Both urine tests were positive for meth. The boy was released into the custody of his mother, who came to the home and was also drug tested. Her test was negative.
In court testimony over the years, experts have differed on whether a drug test can come back positive for meth if the person is simply in a home where meth has been cooked.
‘There was trash in a trash can that I know comes from generating meth,’ said sheriff’s deputy Jason Rowland, who was called to the scene.
After testing positive on Sunday, Anita went Monday at 7:15 a.m. to get drug tested again at On Site Drug Screens. After that came back negative, she had the hair follicle test performed Wednesday at 3:45 p.m., also at On Site Drug Screens, which uses Atlanta-based Quest Diagnostics for its specimen analysis. She provided both negative drug tests to the Standard.
Director of Schools Dr. Jerry Hale seemed satisfied at the negative results.
‘We have procedures in place where teachers are tested if there is reasonable suspicion,’ said Hale. ‘In this case, her test came back negative and I can say that because she wants it known that it came back negative.’
Brad Kirby remains held at Warren County Jail awaiting trial.