Pubdate: Wed, 06 Feb 2002 Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press (TN) Copyright: 2002 Chattanooga Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.timesfreepress.com/index.html Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/992 Author: Pat Mahoney DRUG TESTS FOR WHITFIELD ATHLETES DALTON, Ga. -- Whitfield County student-athletes will be subject to random drug testing next year. The Whitfield County Board of Education on Tuesday approved the first reading of a new policy to allow high school student-athletes to undergo random drug testing. Drug dogs brought to Northwest High School last fall sniffed out marijuana in three student vehicles in the parking lot. "The policy is something we need to have," said Northwest principal Sonny Day. "It's not just to catch kids involved in drugs. Rather, it gives kids an opportunity to have an out if approached by their peers. They can say, 'I may be drug-tested.'" The policy was considered following the discovery of the drugs at Northwest, said Whitfield County school superintendent Tom Dickson. It also will apply to Southeast High School. "We've had significant conversation amongst parents, board members and teachers. When several athletes were found with drugs, it became a serious situation," Dickson said. "The Supreme Court has limited it to student-athletes. It could possibly expand." The policy was initiated by parents, not administrators, school board chairman Mark Fidler said. "It's parent-driven, not board-driven. It's from the parents of athletes and other parents in the school system," Fidler said. "(Athletes) are role models for schools. I think we will find out that, in general, athletes are top-quality students." Students who test positive for drugs will receive counseling, Fidler said. "We want to get them on the right road," Fidler said. "We are just trying to give the parents reassurance." A second reading is scheduled March 5 to make the new policy official. A similar policy has been in effect in Catoosa County for four years. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart