Pubdate: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 Source: Naples Daily News (FL) Copyright: 2006 Naples Daily News. Contact: http://www.naplesnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/284 Author: Katherine Lewis Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) SCHOOL BOARD CONSIDERS DRUG TESTING FOR ATHLETES Students who want to participate in football, join the swim team or play basketball for their alma matter better think twice about ingesting illegal substances before the season starts. The Collier County School Board is considering a proposal that would make students who participate in athletic activities, including cheerleading, subject to random drug testing. Dee Whinnery, the district's executive director of student services, presented the board with the results of a Florida Youth Substance Abuse survey, which was given to students in grades six through 12. The survey found that more than 60 percent of Collier County students had used an illegal substance in their lives, and more than 30 percent had used an illegal substance within the past 30 days. The survey determined that Collier County students were abusing alcohol, followed closely by cigarettes and marijuana. The conclusion of the survey determined that random drug testing could be a deterrent to students. Student athletes and their parents would have to agree to the screening as a prerequisite to participate in athletic activities. Student privacy would be kept in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the results of the drug test would be made available only to the student, principal and athletic director, said Ike Isett, the district's coordinator of health services. Isett added the drug tests would follow guidelines similar to the Department of Transportation's guidelines, which allow for a split sample at the time of specimen collection. In the split sample method the urine specimen is divided into two containers. The purpose of the split sample is to allow the employee the opportunity to have the specimen retested at a different certified laboratory. The policy also would provide options for students, including taking another test and participating in a drug/alcohol program, should they fail the random test. Whinnery told the board the drug testing would cost about $115,000. She said testing would be provisional on how much the district could secure in grant funding. She said she also had approached private foundations in the county to help pay for the screenings. Board member Dick Bruce suggested that not only athletes be tested, but also students who drive. Board attorney Richard Withers said current state case law allows school districts to test select groups of students. Although the district could not test all students at every school, he said they could identify a group where substance abuse could create a health issue, including impairing a student's ability to drive. Board member Linda Abbott said she wondered how the testing would affect the district's "zero tolerance" policy on illegal substances. "Testing positive in a drug test is not possession or distribution," said Superintendent Ray Baker. "It would be something we would have to look at." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin