Pubdate: Tue, 26 Sep 2006
Source: Express-Times, The (PA)
Copyright: 2006 The Express-Times
Contact:  http://www.pennlive.com/expresstimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1489
Author: Douglas B. Brill

PARENTS MAY HAVE TO PAY FOR DRUG, ALCOHOL TESTING

U. MT. BETHEL TWP. | Students in the Bangor Area School District 
could be tested for drug and alcohol use at their parents' expense if 
the school board approves an extension to its recently adopted drug 
and alcohol policy.

The school board read the policy extension for the first time at 
Monday's school board meeting and could approve it by December, 
Superintendent John Reinhart said. The school board planned to send 
the extension to its policy committee for further review.

The proposed extension would allow drug testing if a principal and 
school nurse have a reasonable suspicion a student is using drugs. 
Parents would not foot the bill if test results were negative but 
students that refuse testing would be expelled, school board members said.

Students would be subject to testing if their "behavior, medical 
symptoms, vital signs or other observable factors" cause the 
principal and nurse to have reasonable suspicion that the student is 
under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the policy states.

Testing may include analyses of blood, urine or saliva or the 
administration of an alcohol breath test, the policy continues.

"The significant part of this is the drug testing," Reinhart said of 
the policy extension.

The district in July passed a drug and alcohol policy that emphasizes 
treatment over punishment, the first change in the school's drug 
policy in 15 years. That policy allows for random drug testing on a 
second offense.

A first offense brings a one-year suspension from school-related 
activities that would be reduced to 30 days if the student enrolls in 
counseling and student assistance programs and performs community service.

The proposed extension addresses drug paraphernalia and steroid use, 
which were not included in the policy passed in July, Reinhart said.

Punishment for steroid use ranges from a season-long suspension from 
athletics to a permanent suspension from athletics, although some 
school board members felt punishment for steroids should be the same 
as punishment for other drugs.

The policy extension was to include measures for underage tobacco use 
as well, Reinhart said, but school board members could not agree on a 
suitable punishment for such offenses.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine