Pubdate: Tue, 09 Mar 2004
Source: Register-Herald, The (Beckley, WV)
Copyright: 2004 The Register-Herald
Contact:  http://www.register-herald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1441
Author: Mary Catherine Brooks

STUDENT ATHLETES TO LEARN DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE

PINEVILLE - In December, the Wyoming County Board of Education approved the 
Interscholastic Athletes Substance Misuse Prevention policy requiring all 
student athletes in grades six to 12 to participate in random drug testing 
and attend one training session concerning the policy.

The sessions are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 22 at Wyoming County East 
High School for East athletes and those attending all East feeder schools 
and 6:30 p.m. March 24 at Westside High for Westside athletes and those 
attending Westside feeder schools. The training sessions are for student 
athletes as well as parents and/or legal guardians.

Any student athlete, along with one parent or guardian, that does not 
participate in one of these two training sessions will not be eligible to 
play or participate in any sport next year, or this year in high school 
baseball, softball, or tennis, according to Jeff Hylton, Wyoming County 
Schools safety director.

Based on the policy, student athletes will be tested randomly for drug and 
alcohol use by an independent company.

Students and their parents will sign a verification and consent form during 
the meeting. Additionally, representatives of the testing company will be 
available to answer questions.

Hylton emphasized that students and at least one of their parents must 
attend one of the training sessions to be eligible to play sports next year.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart