Pubdate: Fri, 13 Aug 2004
Source: Joplin Globe, The (MO)
Copyright: 2004 The Joplin Globe
Contact:  http://www.joplinglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/859
Author: Jeff Wells
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

DRUG-TESTING PROGRAM TO BEGIN IN FALL

Some Webb City Students Will Be Subject To Random Tests

WEBB CITY, Mo. - Random drug testing will begin this fall for some Webb 
City students.

On Tuesday, the Webb City R-7 School Board approved a plan to begin random 
testing. Drug testing will be mandatory for all students participating in 
high school extracurricular and co-curricular activities, and will be open 
to voluntary participation by all students in grades seven to 12, said 
Randy Richardson, athletic director. Parents of students not involved in 
activities may enroll their children.

Webb City's policy is similar to those in place in Carthage, Carl Junction 
and other area districts, Richardson said.

Another area district is considering a similar policy.

Sarcoxie Superintendent Charles Price said the Sarcoxie R-2 School Board 
will begin discussing whether to implement random drug testing in the next 
few months.

"Right now we are going slow," Price said. "I just gave the board some 
information to read and come back with questions."

Webb City parents and high-school football players applauded an 
announcement of the new policy at Tuesday's meeting, Richardson said.

Brent Bertelsen, a high-school senior, participates in football, track, 
jazz band and several other activities. He said he welcomes the new policy.

"I think it is a good idea because it gives kids a reason to say 'no' to 
drugs, and also it gives the people who don't do things like that a fair 
chance," Bertelsen said. "It improves decision-making as a whole."

Testing will be conducted twice a month at the high school, Richardson 
said. A private company will collect urine samples from about 15 students, 
chosen at random, during each testing period.

The tests will cost about $15 each, he said. The program is estimated to 
cost the district $4,050 a year.

Superintendent Ron Lankford has said the district will pay for the testing 
with money from a federal Drug Free School and Community Grant that the 
district already receives. The district will shift funding from some 
elementary-level drug-prevention programs to drug testing, he said.

The policy calls for a participant to be suspended for 40 percent of the 
season or activity schedule after the first offense. For example, 
Richardson said, a football player with a positive test would have to sit 
out four games of a 10-game season.

The punishment would be reduced to 20 percent if the student participated 
in a drug-treatment program, Richardson said.

A second offense would lead to a 90-day suspension from activities, 
Richardson said. A third offense would prohibit the student from 
participating in activities for the remainder of high school, he said.

Students would be allowed to stay in activity programs after the first two 
positive tests. Richardson said that would allow coaches and others to help 
the student overcome drugs.

"We feel like we can help the students in our programs," he said.
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