Pubdate: Wed, 03 Sep 2008
Source: Parthenon, The (WV Edu)
Copyright: 2008 The Parthenon
Contact:  http://www.marshall.edu/parthenon/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2171
Author: Brittany Evans

DRUG-FREE IN CABELL COUNTY SCHOOLS

The new random drug testing program for Cabell County schools is 
supported by most students.

The program was implemented for the 2008-2009 school year. Students 
who participate in athletics or purchase a parking pass at Cabell 
Midland and Huntington high schools will be subject to random drug 
testing throughout the year. All parents of Cabell County high school 
students may volunteer their child to be drug tested for $27.

"The feedback's all been positive, we really haven't had any students 
complain at all," Administrative Assistant for Secondary Education, 
Todd Alexander, said. According to Alexander, the policy was 
implemented due to drug problems in Cabell County.

Students are required to attend an orientation session and submit a 
letter of consent signed by their parents or guardians before 
beginning athletic practice or accepting a parking pass.

Testing is administered by Sport Safe Testing Services, and screens 
for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, methadone, methamphetamine, 
amphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and 
alcohol. Parents or guardians are contacted immediately following a 
positive test result. Students who test positive for drugs must 
receive drug counseling and submit to further drug testing in order 
to continue athletic participation or driving to school. The drug 
testing information will not be added to a student's permanent 
record, nor will it be given to law enforcement.

"I think the policy is a great idea for athletes and gives all the 
kids a better reason to say no," Veronica Mins, a Huntington resident 
and mother of a HHS student, said. Toquan Hayes, Mins's son, plays 
football at HHS. Mins said the policy will lower drug usage among 
students and help raise awareness of the problem, but is unfair to 
test students who drive to school.

"If you have a driver's license you should be allowed to drive 
wherever you want. I don't think it's fair to test kids for drugs 
just because they're driving to school," Mins said.

Tyler Hughes, a senior and starting linebacker at CMHS, said he 
thinks the program will help student athletes understand the 
disadvantages of drugs. Hughes said it is unreasonable for student 
drivers to be tested, and opposes expansion of the program to include 
middle schools as well.

"I think that could just entice some kids, it may make them learn 
more than they need to know," he said.

Required drug testing of the entire student body is illegal according 
to Cabell County Board of Education's Web site. Participating in 
extracurricular activities and driving to school is considered a 
privilege in which the U.S. Supreme Court and state courts uphold 
compulsory testing for.

Alexander said he was concerned about implementing the program, but 
believes that it will effectively prevent drug usage in the schools. 
The program is estimated to cost $30,000 each year and will be funded 
by grants and subsidy from the Cabell County Board of Education. 
According to Alexander, the program does not impose on students' 
rights to privacy.

"Looking at the total picture I think this will do more benefit than 
harm," Alexander said.

The final orientation session for the program will be held Wednesday 
at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at CMHS.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart