Pubdate: Sat, 31 Jan 2004 Source: Oklahoman, The (OK) Copyright: 2004 The Oklahoma Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.oklahoman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318 Author: Mac Bentley Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) MACOMB SCHOOLS TESTING STUDENTS FOR DRUGS MACOMB -- Following Tecumseh's example and taking advantage of more favorable budget conditions, Macomb School District this week started testing students involved in extracurricular activities for drugs, Superintendent Gracy Taylor said. "It's been something we've talked about for the last couple of years because of the growing (drug) problem in the area and the potential for it to affect our children," Taylor said Thursday. "With the budget cuts, we were hesitant to start anything that was going to cost money. But this year the money has been fairly steady and we felt it was time to get it done," Taylor said. Macomb is testing about 100 students involved in extracurricular activities from the seventh to 12th grades. Ten percent of them then will be chosen at random for testing each month. Taylor said Macomb modeled its policy after Tecumseh's program, which went to the U.S. Supreme Court for protection in 2002. Taylor said a student who tests positive will receive counseling, which the school provides for a 14-day period, then will be tested again. A second positive test will mean a suspension for two weeks to a month, and the student and parents will be responsible for the counseling. A third positive test will mean a longer suspension. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman