Pubdate: Tue, 26 Jun 2001
Source: Flint Journal (MI)
Copyright: 2001 Flint Journal
Contact:  http://fl.mlive.com/flintj/buffer.ssf
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/836
Author:  Bob Wheaton

TRIAL SET ON STUDENT DRUG TESTS

Flint - Saying he was fascinated by constitutional issues related to a 
school drug-testing policy, a judge decided Monday a lawsuit challenging 
the policy should go to trial.

"I remember reading about that when it came out in the newspaper and 
thinking, 'That's going to be a good one - I wonder which judge is going to 
draw that one,' " said Genesee Circuit Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut.

Micah White, then a student at Grand Blanc High School, sued the school 
district after he was told he couldn't join the wrestling team without 
taking a drug test.

The trial was set for Dec. 18.

White, 19, now a student at Swarthmore College, said outside the courtroom 
he's confident he will prevail. "It's an important case that hasn't been 
resolved," he said.

Grand Blanc is believed to be the only school district in the state that 
randomly tests student-athletes, said attorneys on both sides.

"We look forward to the trial to show that suspicionless drug-testing is 
unconstitutional and an ineffective means of addressing any drug problems 
that may exist at Grand Blanc High School," said Michael Steinberg, legal 
director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, which is 
backing White.

School attorneys argued that any infringement on student rights is 
reasonable, given the seriousness of drug and alcohol abuse.

"What we've got at our school district is a cancer - a cancer of drug use 
by students, a cancer of drug use by student-athletes," said school 
attorney Joseph Urban.

Gary Collins, another school attorney, said three athletes have tested 
positive for drugs since random testing began in December 1998. He said 
that's evidence the policy is preventing students from using drugs.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom