Pubdate: Mon, 23 May 2005 Source: Athens News, The (OH) Copyright: 2005, Athens News Contact: http://www.athensnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1603 Author: Nick Claussen, Athens News Associate Editor Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) ALEX POISED TO APPROVE DRUG TESTING The Alexander Local School District is moving forward on a new student drug-testing policy. The proposed policy calls for testing for all athletes and cheerleaders, as well as all students who drive to school, said school Supt. Bob Bray. The board held its first reading on the issue at the Thursday meeting, and it will be up for a vote at the next board meeting. "This would be a first for Alexander," Bray acknowledged. If the drug-testing policy is approved, student athletes will be tested because they represent the school and because the district does not want them to be hurt while they're involved in practices or games, Bray said. The school district considers it a privilege for students to be able to drive to school, and those students also will be subjected to drug testing if the new policy is approved, according to Bray. "They are on our property," Bray said. The students have to buy a parking permit, and the drug-testing fee will be included in the cost of the permit. "We think it's important that they be sober and drug free if they are going to drive to school," Bray said. Students in other activities such as band or choir will not be tested because those activities are classes that students receive grades in, Bray said. "I think it's controversial, and I am sure there will be some people who are strongly opposed to it," Bray said about the drug-testing policy. He added that he believes the proposed policy is fair. The policy is not punitive, as there are four steps for students who are found with drugs, according to the superintendent. The first time a student is caught, he or she receives counseling, he said. After the fourth step, a student will be banned from athletics. This school year, Bray said, the district has had more incidents with students coming to school who are under the influence drugs or alcohol. Some of the students were athletes and some were non-athletes, he added. Civil liberties advocates often criticize random drug-testing policies because they impact the innocent as well as the guilty, and allow searches without probable cause. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake