Pubdate: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 Source: Roanoke Times (VA) Copyright: 2005 Roanoke Times Contact: http://www.roanoke.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368 Note: First priority is to those letter-writers who live in circulation area. Author: Cody Lowe Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) SALEM PONDERS DRUG TEST PROPOSAL Salem's Public Schools Are Looking into Random Drug Tests for All Extracurricular Activity Participants. Salem public school administrators will continue to look into the possibility of imposing random drug tests for all participants in extracurricular activities, possibly beginning as early as next year. The Salem School Board heard a recommendation to impose such testing Tuesday night from a committee appointed earlier this year by Superintendent Wayne Tripp to study the system's anti-drug-use policies. Assistant Superintendent Mike Bryant chaired the committee, originally charged to look at the system's Athletic Drug Pledge Program after reports that alcohol and drug use was on the rise among the school system's athletes. Although all students are covered by school policies that prohibit the use of alcohol or illegal drugs at school or during school functions, athletes are currently required to take a pledge not to use drugs or alcohol at any time during the seasons in which they play. Violations can lead to suspension from their teams or even from school. The recommended program would extend that obligation to participants in all extracurricular activities, and would enforce the prohibition with random drug tests during the school year. Tripp reminded the board that recent surveys indicated "no marked increase in drug use over the last five years or so," with only 10 to 12 violations of the system's Standards of Student Conduct each year. But the surveys also showed that a third of students said they had used marijuana, with 10 percent saying they used that drug regularly. Over the last decade, he said, there has been an increase in the number of athletes who violated the anti-drug pledge, and "about 50 percent of seniors acknowledged using alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs during their season." One athlete has been permanently banned from participation in sports because of repeated violations. Bryant's committee was asked for suggestions on how to improve the drug-use prevention program, particularly in light of additional surveys that showed that drug use was the "top concern among students, teachers and parents at Salem High." "The conversation at our first meeting quickly turned to random drug testing" as a possible deterrent, Bryant said. Tripp pointed out that many details of the proposal have yet to be fine tuned, but it likely will cost in excess of $25,000 a year to administer. He also reminded the board that the U.S. Supreme Court about a year ago ruled that such random drug testing was legal for extracurricular participants, and could even be extended to those who drive to school. Those activities are privileges, not rights, the court said, and schools' interests in deterring drug use outweighed students' privacy rights. The Salem board directed the administration to continue to refine the drug testing recommendation into a concrete plan for implementation, which will then be presented to the public in a series of forums before being considered for adoption. In other action Tuesday, the board accepted a contract to significantly increase the income it receives by leasing four broadband channels whose licenses it holds. The channels, regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, will be leased by Air Cable of Salem for a minimum of $214,000 over a five-year contract. The channels previously had been leased to Ntelos for $2,400 a year. The board also recognized Ted Powell for being named Virginia's Visiting Teacher of the Year. Visiting teachers work with students in their homes when they are not able or allowed to attend school. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake