Pubdate: Thu, 14 Aug 2003
Source: Fayetteville Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2003 Fayetteville Observer
Contact:  http://www.fayettevillenc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150
Author: Jessica Banov
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Note: Staff writer Earl Vaughan contributed to this report. 

SCHOOL DRUG TESTS ON HOLD

A program to randomly test student athletes for drug use likely will not be
implemented this school year in Cumberland County, school officials said this
week.

Some school board members on the policy committee still have questions about
how the program would work, and whether it is needed.

Fred McDaniel, the student activities director for Cumberland County schools,
told high school athletic directors on Monday that the policy is on hold until
the questions are answered.

Sara Piland, associate superintendent for administrative services, said
additional information is being gathered to give to school board members,
including sample policies from other school systems. A report won't be brought
to the policy committee for another few months, she said. At that point, Piland
said, she will wait to see what school board members say before bringing a
sample policy to them.

"We felt we needed to have more dialogue before we took it to the policy
level," Piland said.

In the spring, coaches approached McDaniel about implementing drug testing as a
deterrent to those students who might consider trying drugs.

A committee of principals and coaches started investigating how drug testing
would work in the school system and how much it would cost. Members of the
committee said athletes would be tested first since they are held up as role
models to other students.

Determining Need

School board member Frank Barragan, a member of the policy committee, said one
of his primary concerns is the need to test athletes for drug use.

"I'm unsure if illicit drug use is problematic," Barragan said. "I haven't seen
any evidence presented to me that would show cause. Personally, I would venture
to guess that alcohol is more of a problem in this age group than drugs."

Other questions Barragan asked include who and what percentage of students
would be tested, how it would be done to insure fairness and privacy, how much
it would cost and what drugs would be detected with the test. He also wants to
know the consequences if a student tests positive for drugs.

"One of the biggest concerns I've got is the privacy issue," Barragan said. "I
hope that any aspect of any random drug test would be totally taken out of the
Cumberland County school system arena."

Board member Larry Lancaster, who also sits on the policy committee, said he
does not have a problem with random drug testing but said it should be expanded
to all students, not just athletes.

"Why athletes? Cheerleaders? Student government members?" he questioned. "If
we're going to test, let's test."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk