Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jul 2003
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2003 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Bobby Anderson

BLANCHARD ATHLETES FACE DRUG TESTS

BLANCHARD -- School starts Aug. 14 in Blanchard and athletics begin soon 
after. But before Blanchard football players can suit up and before the 
cheerleaders can start competing, they'll already have been required to 
pass at least one test.

Blanchard is one of a handful of school districts in the state that 
requires athletes to pass a drug test before they can participate in 
extracurricular activities.

Athletic Director Billy Hammon said about 260 Blanchard athletes will be 
required to submit a urine sample to be tested for amphetamines, marijuana 
and other drugs before they can participate.

"We've found it's been a good deterrent," Hammon said of the policy, now in 
its fifth year.

Modeled after a policy in Tecumseh that was challenged all the way to the 
U.S. Supreme Court, which backed it by a 5-4 margin, the policy may be 
expanded to include all students participating in extracurricular 
activities including vocational agriculture and band, Hammon said.

Blanchard Superintendent Dwight Myers said the tests help students and parents.

"We feel like it's beneficial to our students and have not had any problems 
with it," Myers said. "I think it speaks well of our community."

Monday, Blanchard cheerleaders, softball and football players will submit 
to testing.

Students will be charged $15, of which $4 will be placed into an account to 
pay for monthly random testing done throughout the school year.

Hammon said the price went up this year to cover the random testing, which 
cost the district about $1,200 last year.

After the initial testing, 10 Blanchard students participating in 
extracurricular activities are randomly chosen for testing.

The policy ensures that if Blanchard students don't pass, they don't play.

Hammon said the test is sensitive enough to detect asthma medication and 
over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Coaches are trained to administer the tests and help ensure there is no 
tampering.

A temperature sensor on the collection jar also ensures the sample 
temperature matches body temperature, preventing false samples from being 
submitted.

Locally, Purcell also tests its athletes. Mandatory drug testing and 
physicals will be given Aug. 9. Athletes are charged $20 for the physical 
and the testing.

Ada and Jenks also have similar policies, Hammon said.

Hammon said the testing is time-consuming and requires a number of 
individuals to be trained.

"The positives far outweigh the negatives," said Hammon, noting that no 
student tested positive last year. "I don't think we could (drop it) now. 
It's been real positive to the community. The community wants it and 
expects it.

"It's been a big benefit."
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MAP posted-by: Beth