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. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart