Pubdate: Wed, 10 Jan 2007
Source: Sandusky Register,The (OH)
Copyright: 2007 The Sandusky Register
Contact:  http://www.sanduskyregister.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1307
Author: Carol Harper

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.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine