Pubdate: Mon, 31 Jul 2006
Source: Pantagraph, The  (IL)
Copyright: 2006 The Pantagraph
Contact:  http://www.pantagraph.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/643
Author: Julia Voss
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

FIELDCREST ADOPTS RANDOM DRUG TESTING

MINONK - The Fieldcrest School District has adopted a  random 
drug-testing policy, but may not use it until  there is a way to pay 
for the tests.

"But there have been some parent groups and private  groups who have 
voiced an interest in potentially  funding getting this going," said 
Superintendent Randy  Vincent, who will see what money is available 
and build  testing around that.

The tests would be used to determine which students can  try out for 
and participate in competitive  extracurricular activities.

The policy says the district will pay for all initial  random tests 
and any additional reliability testing,  but retesting of a positive 
sample or additional  testing sought by the student or parents would 
be the  family's financial responsibility.

The policy "is not to punish kids, but to give them  another reason 
to say 'no' to peer pressure," board  member Heidi Cook said during a 
meeting last week.

The essence of the policy, Vincent said, is "to deter  the use of 
prohibited substances, not to provide a  means which the district may 
use to punish a student in  addition to disqualification from 
participation in  extracurricular activities."

"What will happen is, everyone that is trying out for  an activity 
will receive copies of the policy and a  consent form that the 
student, parents or guardian has  to sign and also an adult witness 
who is not a family  member," he said.

In most cases, the witness will be a coach, athletic  director or principal.

Any student who tests positive without proper medical  documentation 
will be subject to a follow-up test after  a suspension is served or 
after the substance normally  would be eliminated from the body, 
whichever comes  first.

In addition, the district can continue testing at any  time during 
the remaining school year.

Related counseling or subsequent treatment by  non-school agencies 
would be the financial  responsibility of the family.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman