Pubdate: Sat, 29 Jun 2002 Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY) Copyright: 2002 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Contact: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/614 Author: Kim Breen Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) SCHOOLS UNLIKELY TO ALTER DRUG POLICIES AFTER RULING A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that approves of random drug testing of more high school students likely will not have an immediate effect in the Rochester area. It's not a topic school boards have been discussing, said Jody Siegle, executive director of the Monroe County School Boards Association. "I think it's very unlikely that things would change locally because of that ruling," Siegle said. "I haven't heard a word about that." Many schools in the area require athletes to pledge to be drug-free, but none in Monroe County is involved in random drug testing, according to the association. The court in 1995 upheld the testing of student athletes. A decision Thursday authorizes testing high school students involved in extracurricular activities such as clubs, bands and choirs. Bill Hirschen, a spokesman for the state Education Department, said department legal counsels were not available for clarification of how the decision affects current state education law. "This needs to be studied," Hirschen said. "We definitely have to act on it and review it. We're going to be asked by schools immediately, I'm sure." Currently, the Greece Central School District makes referrals to Unity Health Systems for students who are suspected of using drugs. Parents are notified of the referrals. "The Greece school district does not do any random drug testing of our students at this time," said Donald Nadolinski, superintendent's designee. The district will take a close look at the decision, he said, but it would be premature to say whether that would lead to a change. "Certainly we want our schools to be drug free," he said. Student athletes are not randomly tested in Rochester schools either, but like in Greece, students suspected of drug use are referred to community agencies for treatment, said spokesman Tom Petronio. Justin Asbie, who graduated Friday from Eastridge High School in Irondequoit, said he thinks random drug testing would be a good idea. "I have friends that go out for jobs and they're always asking, 'Do we need to tak e a drug test?' " said Asbie, who is 17 and will attend Monroe Community College in the fall. Randomly testing students would be another incentive to stay off drugs and keep drug use down in schools, he said. "It would stop it more." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom