Opinion ID: 1712646
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: the court erred by requiring the defendant to submit to one year of drug testing at her expense.

Text: ¶ 18. Anita testified that she and Carl did drugs together before their marriage, but she denied that she continued drug use after the marriage. When asked what her drug of choice was, Anita answered cocaine and crystal methamphetamines. The record is replete with allegations and testimony of Anita's sometimes irrational behavior throughout the course of this case. Early in the proceedings the chancellor granted an emergency TRO upon motion of the Guardian Ad Litem who filed the motion due to the emotional instability of Anita and due to the likelihood that she will commit some damage to herself and the children. Anita herself, as pro se counsel at the final hearing, in a question to her mother, asked: do any of my irrational outbursts here keep me from being a good mother? There was also ample evidence in the record regarding Carl's drug use. During the course of the proceedings in this case, he was in a pretrial diversion program with the district attorney's office following his arrest for sale of cocaine and crystal meth. Carl had successfully completed a drug rehab program but Anita had never sought professional help, because she felt she did not need it. ¶ 19. The chancellor observed the demeanor and credibility of the parties and the witnesses first hand. We find that he did not abuse his discretion in ordering one drug screen test per month for twelve months, for both Anita and Carl. We affirm the rule that the polestar consideration in child custody cases is the best interest and welfare of the child. Albright, 437 So.2d at 1005. Where the chancellor considers the testimony and demeanor of the parties in determining that drug testing of a parent is necessary for the well-being and safety of the children, an order for such is reasonable. This order clearly passes muster under the best interests of the child test. ¶ 20. For the foregoing reasons, we find this issue is without merit.