Pubdate: Fri, 08 Jul 2005
Source: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo, MS)
Copyright: 2005 Journal Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.djournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/823
Author:  Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

LAMAR SCHOOL OFFICIALS APPROVE STUDENT DRUG TESTS

PURVIS - Hundreds of students in Lamar County schools would be tested 
annually for drugs under a new policy approved by the county school board.

Under the policy, all students involved in extracurricular activities 
must take at least one drug test at the beginning of the season and 
random tests will be given to about 100 students at various times 
throughout the year.

A student who fails a test must sit out 20 percent of a season or 20 
percent of a year's activities. Second and third offenses are more 
serious, with students being kicked off the team for the season or 
being banned from any sports or extracurricular activities for the 
rest of the school year.

Along with any penalty, the student also must complete a drug 
counseling program, officials said.

The Lamar County School Board approved the policy Tuesday, and it 
took effect immediately.

"There are a lot of other things to life than playing high school 
sports, and if we can nip drug use in the bud, I think we've done our 
job," board member Chris Ryals said.

School officials said the tests cost $19 each and about 650 students 
will have to be tested at least once. They estimated the program 
would cost between $21,000 and $22,000 per year.

Superintendent Glenn Swan said $10,000 in Drug Free Schools grant 
money could be used to defray the costs, and administrators are 
looking into other grant funding to supplement the program.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth