Pubdate: Sun, 03 Feb 2002
Source: Daily Press (VA)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily Press
Contact:  http://www.dailypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/585

PLAN HAS REWARDS FOR STUDENTS WHO AGREE TO RANDOM DRUG TESTS

MATHEWS, Va. (AP) -  School division officials are considering a policy 
that would encourage high school students to agree to random drug tests in 
return for incentives that include free parking and free admission to 
school events.

The voluntary program was presented to the county School Board at its 
January meeting and could be voted on as early as Feb. 19, officials said.

"We think that it's unique and a very positive approach," said Georg T. 
Kidd, the assistant school superintendent. "The goal here was to provide 
help for students who need help--not to be 'I got you!' "

The Mathews High School Voluntary Drug Screening Program grew from a 
yearlong study by a committee of administrators, parents and students that 
formed after a handful of students on the football team were caught smoking 
marijuana.

"We're making it available as what we're considering to be a good service 
for the community," Principal Mary B. Whitley said.

School Board members postponed voting on the proposal in January because 
they wanted a detailed explanation of how the program's costs will fit into 
next year's budget, said Superintendent Harry M. Ward said.

Officials estimate the school will pay an independent testing company about 
$2,500 a year to check urine samples from 10 randomly selected students 
each month of the 10-month school year.

Two incentives--waiving the $25-a-year parking fee for participants and 
giving them free admission to school events _ could amount to as much as 
$5,000 in lost revenue, officials, so the district must contemplate overall 
costs of up to $7,500.

The other proposed incentives would be free tickets that school officials 
hope might be available from attractions such as Busch Gardens, and the 
right to miss four days of school, rather than three, and still be eligible 
to skip taking final exams.

Although the proposal has been well received so far by adults and most 
students in this rural Middle Peninsula county, critics say the proposal 
would penalize students who don't participate.

Kent Willis, director of the Virginia chapter of the American Civil 
Liberties Union, said that legally, the program could amount to punishing 
students who choose not to give up their constitutionally protected right 
to privacy.

Willis said his organization would ask the schools for information and then 
take action to oppose the policy.
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