Pubdate: Wed, 08 Mar 2006
Source: Virginia Gazette, The (Williamsburg, VA)
Copyright: 2006 The Virginia Gazette
Contact:  http://www.vagazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3760
Author: Mary Vause, Gazette Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG TESTING TO BE VOLUNTARY

WILLIAMSBURG -- A proposal to randomly test high school  students for 
drugs and alcohol took another unexpected  twist Tuesday night when 
WJC School Board member Mary  Ann Maimone unveiled a compromise plan 
that would make  testing completely voluntary.

Details included:

* Extending the program to middle schools.  Participation requires 
the signature of the parent and  student.

* Made the policy non-punitive to ensure  confidentiality. Students 
would not be removed from  activities at any time.

* In the event of positive test result, parents will be  assisted by 
the school division in providing a drug  counseling plan.

School Board members Joe Fuentes and Elise Emanuel  immediately 
seconded Maimone's motion. School Board  member Ron Vaught 
immediately tore into it, saying that  the amendment would take out 
the teeth of the proposal.

But one by one, every School Board member, Vaught  included, said 
they would vote for the compromise.

"I think based on all the comments we've heard, we've  reached a good 
compromise," said Fuentes. "We've split  the baby in half, but i 
think it's a workable  solution."

"Everybody in this room cares about kids and nobody  wants to trash 
the Constitution," said School Board  member John Alewynse to the 
packed room of about 85  people (at least 25 more were viewing on 
televisions  from the hallway outside).

"I am grateful for Ms. Maimone's amendment, that seems  to afford a 
win-win opportunity for everyone," Alewynse  continued.

The anti-drug-testing crowd was very gratified by the  sudden 
compromise, emitting cheers as each School Board  member in 
succession expressed support for Maimone's  amendment.

Pro-testing advocates were disappointed.

"[The School Board members] might be bending to  political pressures, 
though I do understand completely  that they're between a rock and a 
hard place," said  Jamestown High senior Christine Bottles is 
co-chair of  the student pro-testing task force and was 
recently  recognized for her work. "I researched voluntary 
drug  testing and still stuck with mandatory."

Community member Gualano Davis, who described himself  as neither 
anti-nor pro-testing, urged the School  Board during citizens' 
comments to table the issue  until a community taskforce could study 
all aspects of  it. In an interview after the vote, he said he was 
unhappy with the quick compromise motion.

"I envisioned them holding off [on a vote] since it's a  grant-based 
deal," he said. "Hold off until the summer,  then let's come back to 
the table with all the experts.  They could write up a plan of three 
courses of action,  present it to the community and let them vote on it."

WJC School Board members listened to emotional appeals  citizens' 
comments period that stretched for an hour  beyond its 30-minute 
limit as 44 parents and community  members spoke on the topic. About 
three-fourths  supported testing, and many had heartbreaking, tearful 
stories. The quarter of parents opposed to testing  encouraged a 
voluntary testing program as a compromise  measure that would protect 
civil liberties.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman