Pubdate: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 Source: Oklahoman, The (OK) Copyright: 2004 The Oklahoma Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.oklahoman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318 Author: Sarah Kahne, The Oklahoman Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) YUKON STUDENTS DIVIDED ON DRUG TESTING YUKON - Students had mixed reactions Tuesday after learning student drug-testing met with unanimous school board approval Monday night. Freshman Christine Manning said she thought drug testing was a step in the right direction. "I think it's a great idea," she said. Manning, a member of the Future Community Career Leaders of America club at Yukon High School, said she wasn't worried about submitting to urinalysis. Freshman Chris Bishop said he wasn't sure he agreed. "I kind of think it's an invasion of privacy," he said, "but I guess it could be a good thing if it keeps the drugs out of our school." Bishop said he thought drug testing would be more relevant if it was applied to the entire student population instead of only seventh through 12th-graders participating in after-school activities. He estimated at least half the students tested would be positive for some type of illegal substance. Cross-country coach Matt Parent said he didn't think any of his 51 runners were doing drugs. "It's not going to affect them (the cross-country team) at all," Parent said. "Most of these kids are overachievers. If they did do drugs, they would be in a world of hurt when it comes to running." Sarah Kennett, a freshman, said she thought the idea of giving a urine sample was "gross." She said some students bring drugs, such as marijuana, to school and sneak off into surrounding neighborhoods to smoke. Kennett said all the athletes she knew stopped doing drugs as soon as they heard about the possibility of drug testing. Bishop said most of the students participating in after-school activities wouldn't endanger their eligibility by doing drugs. He said the administration would be more successful in testing all students. Parent said he could understand why students and parents have mixed feelings about the testing. "I definitely understand both sides," he said, "but I guess the best outcome could be that drug testing gives them (students) an excuse to not do drugs." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek