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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D