Pubdate: Tue, 09 Jan 2001

Source: Bristol Herald Courier (VA)
Copyright:  Bristol Herald Courier 2000
Contact: http://www.bristolnews.com/contact.html
Address: 320 Morrison Blvd. Bristol VA 24201
Website: http://www.bristolnews.com/MGBSVWU0RHC.html
Forum http://www.bristolnews.com/letters/index.htm
Author: Rick Wagner

AM ADOPTION OF DRUG-TEST PLAN DELAYED

School Board Members Question Need To Include Caffeine On List

BLOUNTVILLE _ Sullivan County school leaders delayed adoption of a 
drug-testing policy for student athletes Monday night, questioning 
the need to test for caffeine and ambiguity about who would be 
tested. Director of Schools John O'Dell earlier indicated that the 
Board of Education would vote on the draft policy, to be implemented 
in the fall. But he recommended delaying it after questions from 
board members and board attorney Pat Hull.

O'Dell instructed his staff to begin studying a drug-testing program 
after parents from East High School requested one in August.

``It's got caffeine listed,'' board member Sherry Grubb of Bluff City 
said of the policy. ``To me, that's a concern since I'm a coffee 
drinker.''

O'Dell responded that he did not realize caffeine - a common 
substance in coffee, soft drinks and tea - was included.

Caffeine is listed in the policy under ``miscellaneous central 
nervous system stimulants'' among drugs the draft policy says ``are 
considered to be inappropriate for use without medical prescription 
and others that are illegal.''

The list also includes cocaine, heroin, marijuana, anabolic steroids, 
alcohol and diuretics. Grubb said students must be notified of foods 
and prescription drugs that could mimic illegal drugs so they could 
notify the school system when tested.

O'Dell said that student athletes would be tested at the beginning of 
each season, at least once a year, and then random tests would be 
given throughout the school year.

Testing the estimated 1,000 student athletes in the four high schools 
would cost at least $20,000 a year. However, he said to save money 
the school system could do random testing, which is what is done in 
Bristol Tennessee.

Board member Larry Harris asked who would be considered athletes 
under the draft proposal, and O'Dell responded that members of 
school-sponsored athletic teams, cheerleaders and drill team members 
would be included.

Hull and board member Harris suggested that those be added to the 
draft policy, and Hull said he wants to review recent federal court 
cases to be sure the policy is in line.

In general, Hull and O'Dell said that the U.S. Supreme Court has 
authorized the testing of student athletes for illegal drugs.

``My concerns are since we've got some more recent cases, I think we 
need to look at those,'' Hull said.

O'Dell said the policy was formulated after looking at Bristol 
Tennessee's policy, in effect since the fall of 1998, and 
Greeneville's policy, which has been in place for 14 years.

Board member Alvie Bright of Lynn Garden suggested that a doctor 
review the list of drugs to be sure it is appropriate, and O'Dell 
agreed.

``We'll be ready to vote on this next month,'' O'Dell said.

In other action, the board approved modified block scheduling for the 
county's four high schools so they can meet a new state requirement 
of providing remedial instruction during the school day.

In addition, O'Dell said that Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist may visit 
Sullivan County Thursday and announced a school board retreat in 
Pigeon Forge from Jan. 18-20.
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MAP posted-by: Kirk Bauer