Pubdate: Wed, 08 Mar 2006
Source: Virginia Gazette, The (Williamsburg, VA)
Copyright: 2006 The Virginia Gazette
Contact:  http://www.vagazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3760
Author: Mary Vause
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG TESTING TO BE VOLUNTARY

WILLIAMSBURG -- A proposal to randomly test high school students for 
drugs and alcohol took another unexpected twist Tuesday night when 
WJC School Board member Mary Ann Maimone unveiled a compromise plan 
that would make testing completely voluntary.

Details included:

* Extending the program to middle schools. Participation requires the 
signature of the parent and student.

* Made the policy non-punitive to ensure confidentiality. Students 
would not be removed from activities at any time.

* In the event of positive test result, parents will be assisted by 
the school division in providing a drug counseling plan.

School Board members Joe Fuentes and Elise Emanuel immediately 
seconded Maimone's motion. School Board member Ron Vaught immediately 
tore into it, saying that the amendment would take out the teeth of 
the proposal.

But one by one, every School Board member, Vaught included, said they 
would vote for the compromise.

"I think based on all the comments we've heard, we've reached a good 
compromise," said Fuentes. "We've split the baby in half, but i think 
it's a workable solution."

"Everybody in this room cares about kids and nobody wants to trash 
the Constitution," said School Board member John Alewynse to the 
packed room of about 85 people (at least 25 more were viewing on 
televisions from the hallway outside).

"I am grateful for Ms. Maimone's amendment, that seems to afford a 
win-win opportunity for everyone," Alewynse continued.

The anti-drug-testing crowd was very gratified by the sudden 
compromise, emitting cheers as each School Board member in succession 
expressed support for Maimone's amendment.

Pro-testing advocates were disappointed.

"[The School Board members] might be bending to political pressures, 
though I do understand completely that they're between a rock and a 
hard place," said Jamestown High senior Christine Bottles is co-chair 
of the student pro-testing task force and was recently recognized for 
her work. "I researched voluntary drug testing and still stuck with mandatory."

Community member Gualano Davis, who described himself as neither 
anti- nor pro-testing, urged the School Board during citizens' 
comments to table the issue until a community taskforce could study 
all aspects of it. In an interview after the vote, he said he was 
unhappy with the quick compromise motion.

"I envisioned them holding off [on a vote] since it's a grant-based 
deal," he said. "Hold off until the summer, then let's come back to 
the table with all the experts. They could write up a plan of three 
courses of action, present it to the community and let them vote on it."

WJC School Board members listened to emotional appeals citizens' 
comments period that stretched for an hour beyond its 30-minute limit 
as 44 parents and community members spoke on the topic. About 
three-fourths supported testing, and many had heartbreaking, tearful 
stories. The quarter of parents opposed to testing encouraged a 
voluntary testing program as a compromise measure that would protect 
civil liberties.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman