Pubdate: Mon, 02 May 2005
Source: Clarksdale Press Register (MS)
Copyright: 2005, Clarksdale Press Register
Contact:  http://www.pressregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1656
Author: David Owens

SCHOOLS LOOK AT DRUG TESTING POLICY

The Clarksdale Municipal School Board is currently looking into the
possibility of a drug policy throughout the district.

During the board's April 21 meeting, school superintendent Dr. Wilma Wade
presented a preliminary policy for extracurricular activities.

"I'm going to attend a meeting in May to see if there is any way possible we
can get federal funding," Wade said Thursday. Wade hopes the district can
receive some level of funding through Title IV, which deals with drug free
schools. "There will definitely be a cost involved with implementing a drug
policy," she said. "Hopefully, I can bring some recommendations back to the
board.

"It's something we need to look at right now, in this day and time," Wade
added.

Wade said wellness has already been the focus of schools across the nation
due to a mandated Wellness Policy through the federal government. "The
federal level has really focused on schools as far as physical fitness,
wellness and drug free schools," she said. "They are moving towards more
emphasis on schools being drug free and safe," Wade added.

"We don't want the kids to possess or be under the influence of drugs."
"It's something we need to look at and are looking at," she said. Wade added
that receiving federal funds through Title IV is very much a necessity for a
drug policy because of the state budget crunch. "We are still not sure on
state funding yet," she said.

"We are waiting to hear and, whenever the legislators make a decision, we
might have to revisit that." None on the board were more vocal than Dr. Bob
Ellard, a former superintendent himself. "If we can save the life of one
person with some type of drug policy, we need to do it," he said.

"If we don't think drugs are going on in our city, we are badly wrong."
Ellard also suggested the policy not just cover athletes, but all people.
"We definitely need to come back and discuss implementing a drug policy," he
said. 
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