Pubdate: Mon, 13 May 2002
Source: Joplin Globe, The (MO)
Copyright: 2002 The Joplin Globe
Contact:  http://www.joplinglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/859
Author: Susan Redden, Globe Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG TESTING PLAN GETS MIXED REVIEW

Some Parents, Athletes In Carthage Say Proposed Policy Comes Up Short

CARTHAGE, Mo. -- If the goal is to curb drug use among students, a proposal 
under review in Carthage stops short, say some athletes and parents.

Proponents say the policy being proposed is limited by what court rulings 
have allowed.

And a decision expected from the U.S. Supreme Court in the coming months 
may address some of the concerns raised by both sides.

"I think the policy itself is good, but I think it should be for anyone 
involved in any competitive extracurricular activity, not just athletes," 
said Rusty Hartman, who will graduate Tuesday a co-valedictorian of the CHS 
class of 2002.

"I know athletes are supposed to be the leaders, so I guess it's a good 
thing to be watching them. But you need to be watching everyone else, too," 
said Hartman, who participates in track and cross country.

"I know there's a drug problem in all schools," said Al Hartman, Rusty's 
father, who is retired after 31 years as an educator. "I don't have a 
problem with the testing, but it shouldn't be just on athletes. There 
shouldn't be any problem with testing anyone, if it's purely random."

That is the most prevalent response being raised about a policy that would 
institute random drug testing for students in extra-curricular activities 
such as athletics and cheerleading, said Debbie Baugh, a school board 
member who served on the committee that recommended the policy.

"It's one step, but we can only do what the courts allow," she said.

Baugh said she would like to see the proposed testing applied to more 
students, if it is allowed by the courts.

That door may be opened through a case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in 
March.

A 1995 decision by the high court upheld a policy by an Oregon high school 
that required its high school athletes to submit to a drug testing program.

A decision is expected in late June or early July on an appeal of a case 
that started in Tecumseh, Okla., where a high school choir member objected 
to mandatory drug testing required by the school for all participants in 
extra curricular activities such as athletics, band, choir and FFA.

Arguments in support of the school's position have been filed by the U.S. 
Department of Justice.

If the high court expands the scope of testing, a Carthage program could 
follow suit, said Baugh, who has two daughters in the high school.

The program currently under review would authorize random testing of school 
athletes in grades seven through 12 who are involved in interscholastic sports.

Baugh favors the testing as a way "for the schools to be proactive, rather 
than always reacting to problems.

"It's needed," she said. "I've spent a lot of time talking to kids at games 
and other events, and they'll tell you what's going on."

"I think they need to cast a bigger net," said Bob Brown, the father of two 
high school athletes and a long-time booster of Carthage sports. "I'd like 
to see random testing that covers all students. I don't want drugs in 
schools, but is it right to test this small group and leave everyone else 
out there?"

Brown said he liked an idea brought up by board member Miriam Putnam during 
a forum on the proposal. She suggested the policy be expanded by allowing 
parents of students other than athletes to sign their children up for the 
random tests.

He said his son, Josh, an athlete in football and wrestling, believes drugs 
are an issue, "but not a problem that has gotten out of hand.

"He thinks the tests should apply to everyone, or no one," Brown said.

He also questions if the tests will include alcohol, adding "that's going 
to be the first choice of most of the kids, because it's easier for them to 
get."

Baugh said she doubts alcohol can be included because it leaves the system 
too quickly.

"But that's something we're exploring," she said. "What we're talking about 
here are steps we can take to make our kids safe. That has to be our 
ultimate concern."

She said the proposal will be discussed by the board at its May 20 meeting.

Action on the measure is not scheduled for the session, she said.

"I'd like us to have something in place by this fall," Baugh said.

Officials with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary 
Education make no recommendations to boards considering drug testing, 
according to Jim Morris, department spokesman.

"We don't monitor it," he said. "Our general advice to boards considering 
it is that they consult with their own attorneys and be cautious."

DESE does not track the number of districts that have testing, Morris said, 
adding that he knew of "a handful" that did so.

Jeff Miller, owner of Seglin, Inc., Columbia, said his firm does testing 
for 13 districts and said he is aware of at least 10 other districts that 
conduct testing.

He agreed with Baugh that alcohol is not a practical part of the testing 
regimen.

"It's a waste of money because it's out of the system in a matter of hours. 
But for schools, we do test. We'll provide mouth swabs that can be used to 
test for drinking at events like proms," Miller said.

The Carthage policy, as currently drafted, applies to students in 
interscholastic athletics, including sports, cheerleading and dance team 
activities. That is the group that court rulings currently allow to be 
tested, said Superintendent Gary Reed.

"Athletes are not more of a problem; they're a cross-section of the student 
body," said Phil Lewis, high school principal.

School officials have been discussing drug testing for several years, as 
other school districts started programs. Debate was heightened by several 
events, he said, including the "Cocaine Cowboy" drug sweep in Carthage 
several months ago.

A committee formed to review school citizenship policies raised the issue, 
and met with officials in Carl Junction, where there has been a drug 
testing program for athletes for the past three years.

"We think it's been very effective," said Mike Larson, athletic director in 
Carl Junction.

"We've had a lot of feedback from students who said they have noticed kids 
a lot less willing to try and use drugs. We think it gives them a break 
from the peer pressure."

Larson said he believes more students will be added to the testing program 
if the Supreme Court decision allows it.

The Carl Junction program starts at seventh grade and includes athletes and 
cheerleaders, he said. Program costs are about $3,000 per year.

Lewis said the testing policy would give student athletes a strong argument 
against the offer to use drugs.

"They'll be able to say 'no, I'm not going to lose my eligibility.' It 
helps relieve some of the peer pressure," he said.

A student found in violation of the policy would be banned from all sports 
activities for nine weeks. A 52-week ban would be imposed on the second 
offense, and a permanent ban on any third offense.

If testing found a banned substance, a second test using a different 
testing method would be performed. With a confirmed positive test, the 
athlete would be banned from practice or competition and the student's 
parents or guardian would be contacted to determine if there were another 
cause for the test result.

The policy includes an appeals process. Reed said district officials also 
are investigating the possibility of offering increased counseling for 
students who are determined to have a problem.

The district, starting in the early grades, offers classes and activities 
designed to steer students away from drugs.
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