Pubdate: Thu, 14 Sep 2000
Source: Tahoe World (CA)
Copyright: 2000 Tahoe World
Contact:  (530) 583-7109
Address: P.O. Box 138, Tahoe City, CA 96145
Forum: http://www.tahoe.com/community/forum/
Website: http://www.tahoe.com/world/
Author: Shannon Darling, Abby Hutchison contributed to this article.

DRUG TESTING PROPOSED FOR ATHLETES; DISTRICT TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL SEPT. 21

They passed their physicals and classes, but will they pass their drug
tests? 

Student athletes are expected, not only to perform well at games and in
class, but with the possible addition of a random drug testing policy, may
be expected to stay clean of drugs and alcohol too. 

If the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District adopts a new drug and alcohol
policy at the next board meeting on Sept. 21, high school athletes will be
subject to drug testing. 

Some athletes and coaches see this as just another challenge in sports or a
way to prove their superiority. 

"I have no problem with it at all. My only concern is cost, but I am 100
percent in favor of it," said Bill Freeman, North Tahoe High School varsity
football coach. 

Freeman is confident his players will come out on top. 

"You can test any of my guys at any time," Freeman said. 

Although the board seems to be in favor of the program, a policy may be
adopted in the next week that will outline specifics. Right now the board is
not sure exactly where the money will come from for the testing or what will
happen if a player tests positive. 

"If someone comes up (positive) then that's how it is," Freeman said. 

It is also unknown exactly what drugs will be tested for. 

"I hope they also test for steroids," Freeman said. 

"There has been talk that there is a need to test for steroids," said Todd
Porter, athletic director for North Tahoe High School. 

One year ago a Student Discipline Committee was formed to look at the
increasing trend of alcohol and drug use. The committee's recommendation for
random drug/alcohol testing was in an "effort to encourage students to make
healthy decisions during their high school years," said a letter from Jim
Abbott, assistant superintendent of the Tahoe Truckee Unified School
District in a letter to parents. The letter, dated June 14, was sent out
this summer. 

The letter stated that the drug testing would mean "that high school
athletes would, as a condition of participating in sports, agree to
mandatory, random drug testing." 

But, there are questions that still remain. 

"There are probably more questions than there are answers," said Porter. 

In the next week, both the principals of North Tahoe and Tahoe-Truckee high
schools will meet with Abbott to adopt a policy for both the schools. The
policy should be complete in one week. 

"Coaches and players are in favor (of drug testing)," said Porter. 

However, some parents and students alike question the fact that only
athletes are being tested. 

"It's a legitimate question," said Porter. 

According to a Supreme Court ruling, only athletes can be tested at public
schools because they are participating in an activity that could prove
dangerous if under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

"It's been discussed in concept," said School Board Member Cindy Gustafson.

The board may adapt the policy in September and if adapted, the policy
should be implemented before the end of the fall sports season. 

"They really need to give people 60 days and have a public hearing," said
Gustafson. 

Part of the process will include a community forum, Porter said. 

"(Drug testing) is becoming more and more of a standard," said Abbot. 

However, many students at Tahoe-Truckee High School, both athletes and
non-athletes, feel like they are being targeted. 

"I'm against it personally," said senior basketball player Keely Carollo. "I
think it's trying to prove (students) guilty. It's not like you do drugs
during practice - so we already have a drug-free environment." 

Carollo said the issue is being talked about pretty heatedly among students,
and added that she was not aware that letters were sent out to students and
their families over the summer. 

"So, students' rights are being taken away because they had no warning,"
Carollo said. "Drugs not only affect athletics, they affect your ability to
do well in school. If they want athletes to be drug-free, they should want
the school and all athletes to be drug-free." 

Lynsey Pombo, who is a senior not involved with high school athletics, also
feels is isn't fair to students. 

"I don't agree with it either," Pombo said. "I don't think they should just
test athletes. Everyone in the school is capable of using drugs." 

Dennis Graham, a junior on the high school wrestling team, said he is not
totally against the idea. 

"I'm kind of for it," he said. "If you're dedicated to your sport enough it
shouldn't be an issue ... If you smoke pot or whatever, it's just
interfering with your success in your sport."
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