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NORWALK BOARD HEARS SUPPORT FOR DRUG TESTING

Care for others prompted 19-year-old Teddy Brown to ask Norwalk School Board Tuesday to support random drug testing as a way to help teens avoid drug abuse.

"I've been in sports all through high school," said Brown, first block of South Garden St., Norwalk.  "You hear things, and they talk openly as long as coaches aren't around."

Brown stayed away from substance abuse in school, he said.  The threat of a drug test might provide a reason for other teens to avoid drugs, also.

Brown asked the school board about possible negatives to random drug testing.  But President Michael Grose said the public participation portion of the meeting was not the right time to discuss the issue further.

Pat Brown, Teddy's father, said he attended the meeting to support his son, but their opinions differed on scope.  He is in favor of drug testing for athletes, but not for the general school population.

Steve Barnes, 100 block of South Linwood St., cited a teen alcohol party during the weekend which resulted in expulsion of athletes from teams.

"I have to wonder if this incident would have occurred if they would have thought they could get caught with random drug testing," Barnes said.

Barnes urged the board to consider alcohol a drug, because of its effect on children.

During an organizational meeting, Grose was elected president of the board, and Rob Ludwig was named vice president.