Pubdate: Sat, 29 Jun 2002 Source: Sun Herald (MS) Copyright: 2002, The Sun Herald Contact: http://www.sunherald.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432 Author: Pamela Hamilton, of the Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) STATE NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE SCHOOL DRUG TEST POLICIES JACKSON - A U.S. Supreme Court decision expanding drug testing in public high schools is not likely to change drug testing policies in Mississippi because the tests are too expensive, state educators say. This week's 5-4 ruling allows schools to give drug tests to students involved in all competitive after-school activities or teams. Justices said keeping students drug-free outweighs a student's right to privacy. Drug tests had been allowed previously just for student athletes and only a few Mississippi school districts give random drug tests. "I think the main reason you haven't seen more drug testing is because it's pretty expensive," said Ennis H. Proctor, executive director of the Mississippi High School Activities Association. Tupelo High School has created a random drug testing program. Last year, the school spent over $15,000 to administer $40 drug tests to 378 athletes. Far more students participate in other competitive after-school activities, such as band. Tupelo Assistant Superintendent Jimmy Williams said it's too early to tell if the school will expand its drug testing program. "I think all children should be tested," Williams said. "I do not want to violate their civil rights. It would have to be a well-thought out policy. I think reasonable suspicion should be a prerequisite to testing any student." High school senior Paula Smith, 17, said no prerequisite is necessary for those who participate in after-school activities "because they are showing leadership in their schools and they're representing their classmates and the community." "A lot of them are going to want to be in certain activities," said Smith, student body president and a member of the chorus at Oxford High School. "And if they want to be in it, they'll stop." - --- MAP posted-by: Ariel