Pubdate: Mon, 11 Dec 2000 Source: Topeka Capital-Journal (KS) Copyright: 2000 The Topeka Capital-Journal Contact: 616 S.E. Jefferson, Topeka, Kansas 66607 Website: http://cjonline.com/ Author: Heather Hollingsworth Bookmark: MAP's link to Kansas articles is: http://www.mapinc.org/states/ks EDUCATORS TO DISCUSS SCHOOL DRUG TESTS Proposal spurred by discovery of four hypodermic needles at high school. Students in Silver Lake schools would be required to undergo random drug testing to participate in activities under a draft policy that board members will discuss for the first time today. Silver Lake Unified School District 372 board members began discussing the policy after maintenance workers this summer discovered four hypodermic needles while power spraying the boys' locker room at Silver Lake High School. The needles were turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and tested positive for steroids. Under the draft policy, seventh-to 12th-graders who want to participate in activities, and their parents, would be required to sign a drug testing consent form within the first week of school or lose their eligibility to participate. Transfer students would be placed in the pool within one week of enrollment. Not less than three times per year, and no more than once a week, five to 10 students would be randomly selected from the pool to provide a urine sample. Students also could be tested at other times if a school official or coach has a reasonable suspicion of drug use. Students who refuse to provide a urine sample would be ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities. A lab would conduct a confirmation test if a specimen tested positive for drugs. If that test also was positive, a medical review officer would contact the student's parents first and the principal second. The principal would schedule a conference with the parents, the student and the head coach or sponsor to discuss the results. Students who assert a positive test wasn't the result of illegal drug use could present evidence to the principal and coach or sponsor. They would rely on the opinion of the laboratory before making a decision, which could be appealed to the superintendent and ultimately the board of education. The penalty for the first offense is suspension for two weeks from participation in all in-season meetings, practices, performances and competitions. During that time, the school recommends that the student undergoes substance abuse evaluation and counseling. The suspension from activities and athletics would grow to 18 weeks on a second offense. On a third offense, the student would be barred from participating in athletics or extra-curricular activities for the remainder of their enrollment in USD 372. Students must produce a drug-free urine sample before resuming participation in athletic or extra curricular activities. Students are given one chance to turn themselves in prior to the random drawing and remain active in extracurricular activities. However, turning themselves in would be counted as a first offense. Steve Pegram, superintendent of USD 372, said he turned to random drug testing policies in Caldwell USD 360, Bluestem USD 205, and Columbus USD 493 as he crafted the draft policy. The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. today in the library at Silver Lake High School. The board will have until February to suggest changes to the policy and would decide whether to accept or reject it in April or May. - --- MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst