Pubdate: Thu, 16 Aug 2007
Source: Signal, The (CA)
Copyright: 2007 The Signal
Contact:  http://www.the-signal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4221
Author: Jim Holt, Signal Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

Hart to Use Drug Testing on Extracurricular Students

Random drug testing, drug-sniffing dogs and  old-fashioned 'narcs'
were some of the suggestions  mentioned Wednesday night at the William
S. Hart Union  School District meeting.

"We have a problem," said school board member Dennis
King.

"It's not just one student taking drugs, we have more  than that.
Let's get started, let's do the  documentation needed.

"Personally, I'd like to see a mandatory (random drug  testing)
policy.

It's not about catching kids, it's about finding a
deterrent."

After a member of the board's legal counsel outlined  what the
ramifications of random drug testing were,  King suggested a return to
'narcs' or students  reporting on other students taking drugs.

High school students in the Hart district who take part  in
extracurricular activities such as sports would  undergo random drug
testing if the board endorses it.

Legal counsel reminded the board that random drug  testing would only
apply to students involved in  extracurricular activities, from
football to choir, but  that the board defines what those activities
are.

"Remember when we used to have 'narcs'?" King asked.  "Let's get some
of those."

There were no dissenting voices from the board  suggesting that the
random drug tests shouldn't be  done.

For King, the earlier the better.

"Do we have to have an elaborate study?" he asked.

The board's legal counsel representative said an  elaborate study was
not required but recommended the  board identify the problem.

"We feel there is a drug problem with our youth in this  valley," said
board president Patrlicia Hanrion.

"We have to look at a lot of ideas on how to protect  our kids.
Sometimes, that's what it takes is a stick  over the head."

The board was advised by legal counsel that they must  also look at
the penalty for students who test positive  for drugs.

King suggested that penalties should vary according to  the
drugs.

Any random drug testing policy would not involve law  enforcement, the
board was told.

One woman listening to the presentation by legal  counsel suggested
the board test athletes for drugs  during their standard physical
examination.

Hanrion summed up the board's discussion citing four
developments:

"We'd like to have administrators investigating the  types of drug
abuse, getting input from a variety of  sources such as coaches.

We want to form a committee to review (drug testing)  companies. We
want to review the policy and procedures  of other districts which
have implemented random drug  testing and also create a volunteer
group made up of  people in the know."

District Superintendent Jaime Castellanos said the day  before the
meeting - something echoed by board members  Wednesday - that random
drug testing gives high school  athletes a way out.

"If a student feels pressured they can just say 'I'm  going to be
tested.' It gives them an opportunity to  say 'no.'"
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MAP posted-by: Derek