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. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake