Pubdate: Mon, 29 Jan 2007
Source: Daily Item (Sunbury, PA)
Copyright: 2007 The Daily Item
Contact:  http://www.dailyitem.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1045
Author: Damian Gessel

SCHOOLS DISCUSS DRUG TESTING STUDENTS

DANVILLE -- At least one Danville resident wants  administrators to 
revisit the discussion of whether or  not to randomly drug test high 
school students.

Dawn Gill asked school board members Jan. 22 not to  forget the idea 
of drug testing students, something the  district was seriously 
considering in 2005.  Superintendent Steve Keifer then said randomly 
drug  testing students involved in extracurricular activities  would 
"give kids an excuse to say 'no' to drugs."

But former high school principal Margaret Auten was  opposed to drug 
testing, calling instead for parents to  be more vigilant in watching 
their children.

"We've got to do something," said Mrs. Gill at the meeting.

Director Carol Bisordi said if the idea of drug testing  is 
revisited, she believes all students should be  treated equally.

"You can't isolate which students you want the testing  done for," she said.

Mr. Keifer said the district has not forgotten about  random drug 
testing and intends to revisit the issue.

Cost of the testing had previously been a concern, he  said. The 
tests cost about $60, he said. But Mrs. Gill  said she knew of places 
to get tests done for less than  $60.

The issue of randomly drug testing students was brought  to the 
forefront in 2005 after it was revealed that 50  percent of the 26 
dropouts in the 2004-2005 school year  had been found to have used 
either drugs or alcohol.

"If kids are using drugs and alcohol, let's face it,  they're not 
going to perform well in school,"  Superintendent Keifer then said.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine