Pubdate: Wed, 23 Apr 2008
Source: Ledger, The (Lakeland, FL)
Copyright: 2008 The Ledger
Contact:  http://www.theledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/795
Author: John Chambliss, The Ledger
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

POLK SCHOOLS MAY DOUBLE RANDOM TESTING FOR DRUGS

BARTOW | The Polk County School District plans to double the number 
of students who will be randomly tested for drugs.

In addition to athletes, district officials will target Future 
Farmers of America, Future Business Leaders of America and any other 
extracurricular group that competes.

The testing program was discussed at a School Board work session Tuesday.

If the district receives an annual $200,000 federally funded grant, 
testing new students would begin by November and the number of 
students randomly tested would jump from 4,500 to 9,000. In all, the 
grant would total $600,000 over three years.

The tests will target only recreational drugs, not steroids.

In 2004, the district began testing for steroids, but later stopped 
because it became too expensive.

The method used to test students is through an examination of urine.

Students who test positive for drugs would go to the Mark Wilcox 
Center in Winter Haven for evaluation. The positive results would not 
affect a student's record at school and they would not be 
disciplined, said Audrey Kelley-Fritz, senior manager of prevention, 
health and wellness for Polk schools.

Each year about 30 or 40 students test positive for recreational 
drugs. Marijuana is the most common drug found because it stays in 
the system the longest, Kelley-Fritz said. Occasionally, some test 
positive for cocaine or alcohol.

Officials say the testing has worked. Marijuana usage rate for 
athletes has declined 16.83 percent since 2004, according the 
District's Web site.

Testing is expensive.

District officials said they didn't know how much it costs per 
student but said they expect to spend $156,565 on testing each year 
if they receive the grant.

Organizations such as band or chorus groups would not be affected 
because they don't compete for prizes, Kelley-Fritz said.

Drug tests are given monthly, said Nancy Woolcock, assistant 
superintendent of learning support.

Because of computerized random testing some students may be tested 
several times a year, while others may never receive a test.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom