Pubdate: Mon, 03 Apr 2006
Source: Longview News-Journal (TX)
Copyright: 2006sCox Interactive Media
Contact:  http://www.news-journal.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1048
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STUDENT DRIVERS MUST PARTICIPATE IN DRUG TEST, PROPOSAL  SUGGESTS

JEFFERSON - If approved, student drivers will not only  need a parking
sticker next year, but also a drug test,  according to a Jefferson
Independent School District's  drug testing proposal.

"We're proposing to institute a drug testing program  for students who
want to participate in extracurricular  activities or drive a vehicle
to school," said  superintendent Richard Cook. Jefferson has not had a
  drug-testing program before.

The district will hold a public forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday  to discuss
the proposal. The meeting will be in the  board room at the school's
central office, 1600 MLK  Drive.

"It's a safety and welfare issue," Cook said of the  proposal. "It'll
make our campus safer."

Board president Ricky Harrington said providing an  education in a
drug-free environment will prevent  injuries and altercations caused
by students being on  drugs.

Harrington said the school has had one or two incidents  involving
drugs, but school officials want to take a  proactive approach to stop
them.

Cook said about 80 percent of the student body will be  tested.
Students involved in all extracurricular  activities including band,
student council, UIL  academic teams and sports, will have to be tested.

Harrington said he thinks it is good that student  drivers also will
have to be tested because "if they're  using drugs, they're
endangering themselves and  everyone that drives."

Cook said that after the initial test, students will be  tested
randomly.

"It's gotten to the point in society that it's worth  having a test
just as a deterrent if nothing else," he  said.

The program will cost the school between $10,000 and  $12,000. The
drug testing company, Southwest Consortium  of San Angelo, will be
available Tuesday night for  questions.

Harrington said he's hopeful the program will be  approved by the
board's June meeting.

Since the program is new, he said they will take their  time making
sure it is implemented right and all  concerns are addressed.

"If we don't get it done by August, we'll move it  back," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Derek