Pubdate: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY) Copyright: 2002 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Contact: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/614 Author: Liz Foran Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) DRUG-TEST RULING TO CHANGE LITTLE HERE Monroe County schools will see few -- if any -- changes when the Supreme Court rules on whether school drug testing can be extended beyond high school athletes. Many schools in the area require athletes to pledge to be drug-free, but none in Monroe County is involved in drug testing, according to the Monroe County School Boards Association. The nation's highest court is expected to rule by summer on an Oklahoma case challenging random drug testing of high school students involved in extracurricular activities. In a 1995 opinion, the court upheld drug testing of student athletes. But the current case challenges the constitutionality of extending drug testing to students involved in extracurricular activities such as clubs, bands and choirs. In Fairport schools, student athletes sign a statement promising to remain drug-free. The school is considering extending the policy and requiring all students in extracurricular activities to sign the statements, district spokeswoman Mary Jane Yarmer said. Ashley Cook, 17, a senior at Marion Junior/Senior High School in Wayne County, said she, too, has had to sign waivers promising not to use drugs in order to participate in sports. "I don't agree with random testing ... but if there is going to be testing, it's not right just to limit it to athletes," she said. "Drug testing shouldn't just pinpoint one group of students." The Monroe County School Boards Association does not have an official position on drug testing in schools since no county schools are involved with testing, explained Jody Siegle, executive director of the association. But introducing drug testing to schools would significantly alter the atmosphere, she said. "Where you have no general suspicion of drug use, it does create a different environment," she said. "There's a presumption of potential guilt when you start random drug testing." Denise Kerr, 16, a junior at Wilson Magnet High School in Rochester, said parents should be the ones to decide whether their children should be tested for drug use. "I think we should mostly concentrate on violence in schools instead of jumping to another big issue like drug testing," she said. "I'm more concerned about that than I am about drug testing." - --- MAP posted-by: Josh