Pubdate: Tue, 11 Jan 2005
Source: Salisbury Post (NC)
Copyright: 2005 Post Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.salisburypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/380
Author: Steve Huffman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

MEMBERS TO CONSULT EXPERT ON LEGAL ISSUES

EAST SPENCER -- Members of the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education hope to 
bring a national expert to town to discuss how they might implement random 
drug testing of students.

Board members want to bring Bill Judge, director of Laws in Hand 
Informational Services of Oak Park, Ill., to Rowan County.

During their monthly meeting Monday, board members instructed Assistant 
Superintendent Bob Heffern to see if Judge is available to come Feb. 28 and 
March 1, or March 7 and March 8.

At their December meeting, board members voted unanimously to spend up to 
$500 to fly Judge to town to discuss random drug testing.

Board members said Monday they'd like to open at least one of Judge's 
meetings to the public, so residents could hear for themselves how drug 
testing might be introduced in area schools.

"We could really have a big meeting," board member Linda Freeze said of 
Judge's arrival.

Heffern said he'd be glad to try and arrange Judge's trip, but he also 
pointed out that local residents might not be as enthused about what he's 
got to say as they'd hoped.

"He advises groups to the status of the law," Heffern said. "He doesn't 
advise in favor or against, supposedly. He's to state the facts. You make 
the decisions."

Judge's visit was suggested in December by board member Jim Shuping, a 
vocal proponent of random drug testing of students. Shuping said in 
December that if Judge's trip cost more than $500, he'd pay any difference 
up to $1,000.

Shuping said Monday he'd like to open at least one of Judge's meetings to 
the public, to "anyone who wants to hear him."

Heffern said he'd heard from a handful of parents since that December 
meeting when Judge's trip was first discussed. Heffern said what he'd heard 
was "a mixed bag. Some are for, some are against."

Heffern said one parent opposed to the random drug testing sent him data 
indicating that such testing doesn't have any influence on whether students 
experiment with illegal narcotics.

And a letter to the Salisbury Post written by Tom Angell, communications 
director for Students for Sensible Drug Policy, an organization in 
Washington, D.C., questioned Judge's motive for such a visit.

According to Angell, Judge is a paid consultant for the drug testing 
industry and any information he provides is likely to be slanted in favor 
of such testing.

Board Chairman Sharon Deal mentioned Angell's letter to the editor during 
Monday's meeting.

But other board members questioned who paid Angell's salary and if his 
opinion on the matter was impartial.

Heffern said that if Judge does visit Rowan County and speak, his advice 
would provide administrators the "chance to discuss legalities" of drug 
testing, though no decision on the matter would likely be reached until later.
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