Pubdate: Wed, 22 May 2002
Source: Hartselle Enquirer, The (AL)
Copyright: 2002 Hartselle Enquirer
Contact:  http://www.hartselleenquirer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1884
Author: Renee Shadden
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

COUNTY EYES DRUG TESTS

Morgan County is joining other area school systems in forming a committee 
to determine a drug testing policy for students involved in 
extra-curricular activities.

Superintendent Don Murphy said drug testing would cost an estimated $35,000 
to $50,000 per year.

"A lot of schools are going to this," Murphy said. "In Limestone County, 
the first year of drug testing showed a 5 percent positive result and five 
years later tests showed a 1 percent positive result. If we test 1,000 kids 
and 5 percent or 50 kids test positive and a year later 1 percent test 
positive, we've accomplished getting 40 kids off of drugs."

Murphy will conduct a search for those interested in serving on the committee.

The committee will decide such issues as: what grades will be tested-9-12 
or 7-12; which extra-curricular activities will require drug 
testing-athletics, band, cheerleading and other traveling groups; and how 
often drug tests will be given-such an initial mandatory test for students 
who wish to become involved in extra-curricular activities and then a 
random computer-selected test for two students at each school for every 
month thereafter.

Another consideration of the committee would be consequences for positive 
drug testing results.

"We would like to start working on the committee now, but before any policy 
is put in place, we would have to wait for the Supreme Court's ruling on 
random drug testing," Murphy said. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently 
hearing a case involving the testing of students in extra-curricular 
activities. Board members Gary Cobb and Billy Rhodes agreed to serve on the 
drug policy committee.
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MAP posted-by: Beth