Pubdate: Wed, 13 Feb 2008
Source: News-Journal (Mansfield, OH)
Copyright: 2008 News-Journal.
Contact: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2413
Author: Lou Whitmire
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PANEL WEIGHS DRUG-TESTING ONTARIO STUDENTS

ONTARIO - Ontario substance abuse coordinator Veronica  Cain was
asked Wednesday night if students are using  cocaine and heroin.

"We do have kids from our school using cocaine and  heroin," Cain
said, along with alcohol, tobacco and  marijuana.

A 14-member panel exploring a random drug testing  policy for Ontario
students sought input during a  90-minute meeting Wednesday nigh at
the high school.

Panel members provided a list of concerns expressed on  forums
(including the News Journal's Web site). Posters  asked who would be
tested, how to finance testing,  privacy issues, safety concerns, etc.
The panel plans  to submit its findings to the board of education on
March 11.

Board president Mary Bennett said a public forum in  April would be
next if the committee deems the issue  needs further discussion.

Member Mark Weidemyre said he would volunteer to be  drug tested as a
member of Ontario Council, making  reference to a blogger's comment
that he should be  tested.

Dr. Diana Timperman, a local pediatrician, said she  would like to
make sure students who are flagged by the  tests get help.

"Who's going to screen that kid to find out what  category he's in? He
was the happy-go-lucky guy doing  great in school, has a supportive
family and he was  experimenting versus the kid who's trying to escape
the  world by using drugs and needs to go to counseling?"  Timperman
said.

She added she wants to make sure parents have a  complete list of
resources available to them,  regardless of ability to pay.

The committee will meet again at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at  the Ontario
High School library. The public is invited.  Members at the Feb. 25
meeting will have a  recommendation, yeah or nay, to moving forward
with a  proposed policy, Ontario schools' director of  operations Curt
McVicker said.

Only one visitor, Ben Mutti of Lexington, attended the  meeting, along
with a News Journal reporter.

Community members who have questions or concerns are  encouraged to
call Cain.
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MAP posted-by: Derek