Pubdate: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 Source: Athens Banner-Herald (GA) Copyright: 2002 Athens Newspapers Inc Contact: http://www.onlineathens.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1535 Author: Kate Carter Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) DRUG DOG SEARCHES A GO; WAIT AND SEE ON RANDOM TESTING The Clarke County School District is moving forward on random searches by drug dogs at the district's two high schools, but will wait for a U.S. Supreme Court ruling before deciding whether to implement random drug testing for student athletes and those who drive to school. Clarke County joins many school systems around the country looking toward the nation's highest court to glean whether broadening anti-drug tactics will be upheld as constitutional. This past week, the Supreme Court has been hearing a case brought forth by Oklahoma City high school choir and marching band member Lindsay Earls. Earls refused to submit a urine sample sought by her school district, which randomly tests those who are engaged in extracurricular activities. At stake is whether the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches extends to students for whom there is no suspicion of wrongdoing. Just two weeks ago, Oconee County High School was subject to drug dog searches. Lockers, cars, and select classrooms where students had left their book bags were searched, and small amounts of marijuana were found in two students' cars. So far, most members of the Clarke County Board of Education have been supportive of a more pro-active anti-drug policy than the one currently in place. Now, if a student is caught with drugs, he or she is suspended pending a hearing in front of the school district's hearing officer. Students are also subject to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department's jurisdiction, and so may be prosecuted for illegal behavior. Clarke Schools Superintendent Lewis Holloway said last month he sent out letters to parents advising them of upcoming random searches by drug dogs - -- searches which he has said will likely be conducted by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and will not cost the school district anything. Holloway said he expects the first search to occur before the end of this school year. Drug dog searches do not need board approval, because they do not require a change in school policy, according to Holloway. Random testing of athletes and those who drive to school, however, will require board approval as well as the tailoring of a brand-new policy, and could cost the school district approximately $30,000 a year, according to Holloway. "Our hope is to have drug testing in place by the beginning of next school year, but we are waiting to hear about the Supreme Court ruling," said Holloway. Board president Lyndon Goodly said he thinks drug dog searches and drug testing would be a deterrent for those who bring drugs into school, as well as those who use drugs outside of school. "We want the minimum exposure for kids who may be vulnerable to people coming in and pushing drugs on them," he said. But Cedar Shoals High School senior Josh Eaton, who says he does not use drugs, believes the school district's focus is misdirected. "I really don't support drugs at all," said Eaton. "But at the same time I don't think the government has the right to take a urine sample from someone just because they want to play sports." aton said he wishes that the money the district may spend on drug tests could instead be used to better fund the arts, drama, and health education programs -- ones that he says do not receive sufficient resources. "I'd like to see a lot healthier approach to it -- where the drug war and morals war don't seem more important than people's lives," he said. Board member Jim Ponsoldt -- a University of Georgia law professor who has taught constitutional law -- said he does not think there has been overwhelming evidence that Clarke County's drug problem has "crossed that line." "Without any evidence of a major problem in school, I find that we have gone too far from promoting liberty to promoting control," said Ponsoldt. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex