Pubdate: Wed, 06 Oct 2004
Source: Kentucky Post (KY)
Copyright: 2004 Kentucky Post
Contact:  http://www.kypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/661
Note: Post staff report
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

WALTON-VERONA MAY TEST FOR DRUGS

Walton-Verona High School could begin testing student athletes for drugs 
immediately if the district's school board approves a drug-testing policy 
later this month. District school officials discussed a proposed 
drug-testing policy Tuesday night with about 100 parents who were at the 
school for an open house.

School officials haven't received major objections from parents or 
students, though parents did want to know the details about who would be 
tested and when.

The school system plans to test athletes in grades 9-12 once they make a 
team and then randomly afterward, said Superintendent Bill Boyle. The 
district believes a drug-testing policy will give students another reason 
not to use drugs.

"It gives them another tool in their defense against peer pressure," Boyle 
said.

The testing will look for drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine. The 
district is starting with student athletes, but could expand the testing to 
students participating in other extra-curricular activities. All the 
school's clubs have drug-free pledges for students, Boyle said.

School officials say they wanted to enact a drug-testing policy because 
student surveys indicate drug use hasn't declined in recent years.

"Students are using drugs after school, on weekends and in cars," Boyle 
said. "Now they can say 'I can't' because they get drug tested at school."

The proposed policy, to be discussed by the school board Oct. 21, would 
affect about 280 students, or about half the student body, Boyle said.

If the school board approves the drug-testing policy, it would be the 
latest in Northern Kentucky to do so. The U.S. Supreme Court two years ago 
approved random drug tests for students who join competitive after-school 
activities or athletic teams, though some Northern Kentucky districts have 
tested athletes since the mid-1990s.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D