Pubdate: Sat, 14 May 2005
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2005 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact:  http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

AMITE CONSIDERS STUDENT DRUG TESTING

The Amite County School District is considering a student drug-testing 
policy similar to those used in other area districts.

Under the proposal presented by Superintendent of Education Charles 
Kirkfield at a board meeting Thursday, seventh-through 12th-grade students 
involved in extracurricular activities would be subject to weekly random 
testing for illicit drugs and alcohol. School officials could also order 
tests of students believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"It's targeting the athletes and the extracurricular kids," said board 
member Jimmy Burns. "I'm in favor of it. It's sad to say, the way people 
are in general ... students, adults, the general public, drugs are out 
there. People use them." Students testing positive would be suspended from 
extracurricular activities for two weeks and the student and/or guardian 
must attend two counseling sessions during the suspension.

A second positive test would result in a ban from after-school activities 
for the rest of the semester and a third positive test would bring a 
180-day ban from activities.

A student who refuses a drug test would be banned from all activities. 
Kirkfield said the district combined drug testing policies from other 
school districts in formulating its own proposal.

Rankin County School Board members on Wednesday gave final approval to its 
student drug-testing policy, which will begin in August. Students involved 
in extracurricular activities in grades 7-12 will be randomly tested. The 
policy also allows parents to sign their children up to be in the pool of 
randomly tested students.

If a school official has "reasonable suspicion" of drug use, students and 
staff also may be tested.

Rankin joins at least eight districts statewide with a drug-testing policy.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman