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NEW DRUG PROGRAM DISCUSSED WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Today, the Jacksonville City School System is holding a meeting in the cafetorium at Jacksonville High School to discuss the recently implemented student substance abuse prevention screening program with students, parents and guardians of students in the Jacksonville City Schools.  The program will begin at 5.30 p.m.

"As a school system," explained School Superintendent Dr.  Eric Mackey, in a letter sent to parents pertaining to the policy and the need for this meeting, "we have committed ourselves to an excellent program of substance abuse education; and this commitment remains strong as ever.  We continue to maintain a high standard for behavior by taking a tough stance if a student is ever caught with drugs or alcohol on school grounds.

"Results of the most recent PRIDE surveys tell us that these efforts are working.  The actual presence of drugs and alcohol on the school grounds or at school events continues to decline."

The Jacksonville City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a measure at its Feb.  10 board meeting that will allow them to randomly test students for prohibited substances like drugs and alcohol.  The testing was approved for all students who participate in extracurricular activities, including those who drive to school since, as superintendent Dr.  Eric Mackey noted, those students who drive to school are part of a voluntary group.  The courts have stated in numerous legal decisions that schools can only randomly test students involved in voluntary, extracurricular activities.

"The Jacksonville City Board of Education recognizes participants in competitive extracurricular activities as present and future assets to our academic and leadership education process," noted the procedural overview of the Prohibited Substances Screening Program ( PSSP ).  "Students who participate in competitive extracurricular activities serve as role models for other students and are a key to our goal of providing the best possible education program for all students.  to achieve our goal, and to maximize the skills and talents of our students, it is important that every student, as well as employees, of our school system understands the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse."

At the meeting, parents will have the opportunity to review the policy with school officials and ask questions.  School officials are hoping that parents will take this meeting and the subsequent policy enforcement seriously, helping them to better serve the students.

"As parents, coaches, teachers and school leaders," concluded Mackey, "we can all be reassured that, while this is not a cure all to eradicate all drug abuse among our kids, it is certainly a big step in the right direction.

"I encourage you to allow your children to participate.  And, I encourage you in continuing to set a good example at home as well as discussing drugs and alcohol and its dangerous consequences with your children.  Let's work together to set high expectations, and watch our children attain them.'