Pubdate: Sun, 23 Jul 2006
Source: Montgomery Advertiser (AL)
Copyright: 2006 The Advertiser Co.
Contact: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/customerservice/letter.htm
Website: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1088
Note: Letters from the newspaper's circulation area receive publishing priority
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SCHOOLS TO EXPAND STUDENT DRUG-TESTING

HARTSELLE -- Hartselle's school board has expanded its  student 
drug-testing program to reach younger students.

The voluntary program, already in use in high school,  beginning next 
month will include sixth-, seventh- and  eighth-graders.

A U.S. Department of Education grant pays for the  program called 
Project Independent Decision. Hartselle  has partnered with the 
Morgan County Substance Network  and Calhoun Community College's 
nursing division for  the testing.

Hartselle began drug testing in 2002. Unlike  Hartselle's regular 
drug-testing program, the school  system will not discipline students 
who test positive.

Students who test drug free will receive a picture  identification 
card that allows them to get discounts  in some area businesses and 
restaurants.

"This has been going on several years in Decatur and  has worked 
great," said board member Greg Cain, who  also is a school resource 
officer for Decatur schools.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman