Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jul 2006
Source: Blade, The (Toledo, OH)
Copyright: 2006 The Blade
Contact:  http://www.toledoblade.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48
Author: Erika Ray, Blade Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

ROSSFORD HIGH GETS DRUG TESTS FOR ATHLETES

Rossford High students who want to participate in  athletics or
extracurricular activities this coming  school year must first pass a
mandatory drug test.

The Rossford Board of Education approved implementing a  drug-testing
policy at its meeting Monday, and plans to  soon name an outside
agency to administer the testing,  Rossford communications liaison
Diana Hersch said.  "We're going to have a little teeth in our
zero-tolerance approach," she said.

Superintendent Luci Gernot said she recommended the  program to the
board after seeing an increase in the  number of Rossford students
reportedly using marijuana,  according to a recent survey in Wood
County  commissioned by Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. In  2004,
33.8 percent of 12th graders reported using  marijuana in the past
year. That number jumped to 47.2  percent in 2006.

To combat those figures, all students participating in  sports or
other extra-curricular activities will be  tested for drugs before the
activity begins. Twenty  percent of students participating in an
activity will  be randomly selected for testing throughout the season.
  The bill for the testing will go to the school board.

Those who test positive will face consequences.

On the first offense, a student would not be able to  participate in
any athletics or extracurricular  activities for at least four weeks
unless that student  admits to using drugs or alcohol soon after the
offense. A student could also be assigned to special  classes in drug
and alcohol education, support groups,  possible treatment for
chemical dependency, or  community service.

A second offense would bar a student from participating  in any
extracurricular activity for one calendar year,  and a third offense
would ban a student from  participating in any extra-curricular
activities at  Rossford schools.

"Our whole reason for having this is not to punish the  students, but
to make sure they make good, sound,  healthy choices," Ms. Gernot
said. "This gives our  students another opportunity to avoid getting
into  situations that might get them into trouble."

Rossford is not the only district that has established  a drug-testing
program for district students.

In Ottawa County, the Genoa Area Local School District  has had a
policy in place for athletes attending the  district's middle and high
schools since fall, 2003.

In Erie County, the Margaretta Local School District  plans to
institute a drug-testing policy this coming  school year for students
in grades seven through 12 who  participate in athletics or drive to
school. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake