Pubdate: Sat, 02 Nov 2002
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2002 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiwinnipeg.com/winsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Frank Landry

NO BACKING DOWN

Division To Forge Ahead With Athlete Drug Testing

A rural Manitoba school division deep in the province's Bible Belt refuses 
to back down from its plan to test jocks for drugs just because of a little 
controversy.

Garden Valley School Division Superintendent Dom Wilkins said yesterday the 
Winkler-area school division will continue to push for the random tests 
despite warnings from the province and privacy watchdogs that the policy 
may infringe on human rights.

But Wilkins admitted red flags raised about the landmark policy from 
provincial ombudsman Barry Tuckett have caught him off-guard.

"That's his jurisdiction to do that," Wilkins told The Sun. "I am 
personally a little surprised by it, yes."

The one-year project would require student athletes at Garden Valley 
Collegiate and their parents to sign forms consenting to informed random 
drug tests throughout the year. It would be a requirement to participate on 
the high school's athletic teams. Steroids would not be tested for.

The province, school division and privacy experts believe no other school 
in the country has a similar policy for drug testing.

Wilkins yesterday stressed that though the program has been approved in 
principle by trustees, it will not be implemented until final approval is 
given by lawyers.

"The board is certainly concerned about that, and has been concerned from 
the start," he said.

Tuckett, the province's privacy watchdog, earlier this week said he is 
considering looking into the policy to see whether it violates Manitoba's 
Personal Health Information Act or takes away a student's right to privacy. 
Education Minister Ron Lemieux had similar privacy concerns.

David Loukidelis, B.C.'s information and privacy commissioner, slammed the 
Garden Hill policy.
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MAP posted-by: Beth