Pubdate: Fri, 04 Aug 2006
Source: Siskiyou Daily News (CA)
Copyright: 2006 Siskiyou Daily News
Contact:  http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/668
Author: Tim Rios, Daily News Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG TESTING FORUMS SCHEDULED

SOUTH COUNTY - High school officials at Mount Shasta  and Weed high
schools are gearing up for public forums  where they plan to discuss
the subject of random drug  testing of students.

MSHS principal Jim Cox and WHS principal Mike Matheson  will host
separate forums on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. at their  respective schools. They
are inviting the public to  come and voice their concerns about the
controversial  issue.

Siskiyou Union High School District is considering  implementing a
random drug test policy for student  athletes and elected student body
officers.

The random test would be administered with an oral swab  that tests
for amphetamines, cocaine, methamphetamines,  opiates, PCP and THC.

The issue of random testing was brought to the SUHSD  board's
attention by a recommendation from Cox and  Matheson.

Proponents say the implementation of the policy would  curb drug use
among students. Detractors say it is a  violation of rights.

The issue was on the agenda at a previous board meeting  and will be
revisited at an upcoming meeting that will  take place at 3:30 p.m. on
Aug. 9 at McCloud High  School.

But before the board makes any kind of decision which  direction the
testing, if any, will take, they say that  they need to hear from the
public.

The forums will provide that opportunity.

Siskiyou Union High School District superintendent Dick  Holmes said
suggestions and alternatives were welcome  and that the board only
"signed the first reading" to  "stimulate discussion" in the first
place.

"It's an opportunity for dialogue," Holmes said. "The  forums are
designed for public input specific to  addressing solutions as well as
symptoms of the problem  of substance abuse."

"This is really a community issue," Matheson said.  "It's important if
we put a policy in place that we get  input from the community."

Matheson said initial reaction from the public has been  positive -
sort of.

"Parents have indicated to me that they support the  concept," he
said. "But maybe without targeting  athletes and maybe testing all
students."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek