Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 Source: Big Spring Herald (TX) Copyright: 2004 The Big Spring Herald Contact: http://www.bigspringherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3158 Author: Lyndel Moody Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) COAHOMA ISD FORUM ON DRUG TESTING TONIGHT Should the Coahoma Independent School District institute random drug testing for students? The public is invited to weigh in on the issue at a forum beginning at 6:30 tonight in the board room of the CISD administration building, 600 Main St. "We want to give everybody present an opportunity to have their say," said CISD Superintendent Dr. Bill Kingston. "We are going to limit the time of the speakers in order to let everyone participate." The policy, if enacted, would affect students in the seventh through 12 grades involved in extra-curricular activities and those seeking a parking permit. "It has become apparent over the past year or so that illegal use of drugs and alcohol has increased in the Howard County community, the Coahoma community and the school community," Kingston said. "It appears to have effected every segment of the student body including those particpating in extra-curricular activities." Kingston said expanding the policy to include students who obtain a permit to park on campus is in line with addressing the safety issue. "As we've talked with our attorneys, they've said the court case (a 2002 case in which the Supreme Court upheld drug testing for students in extra-curricular activities) is based on safety issues," he said. "We feel like it is a real safety sensitive issue for students who are driving cars on campus. "Students have to show proof of driver's license and liability insurance before being issued a parking permit," Kingston continued. "It's not something we're obliged to do." The policy is meant not as a way to catch students, Kingston said, but as a reason for students to say no to drugs and alcohol. "This gives them a reason to avoid peer pressure to use drugs and alcohol," he said. Kingston said tonight's meeting will be moved to the elementary school audio/visual room if the board room becomes too crowded. Coahoma ISD isn't the only Howard County school district considering a random drug testing policy. On Tuesday, June 8, Big Spring ISD trustees discussed the topic and gave the go-ahead for administrators to study it. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin