Pubdate: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 Source: Free Press, The (Kinston, NC) Copyright: 2008 Kinston Free Press Contact: http://www.kinston.com/sections/contact/ Website: http://www.kinston.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1732 Author: Chris Lavender Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) GREENE COUNTY TO DRUG TEST ATHLETES SNOW HILL - Greene County Schools will require its student-athletes to submit to random drug testing next school year, anticipating the likelihood of mandated drug tests statewide. During a Monday meeting, the Greene County Board of Education unanimously approved a plan to test 10 percent of Greene Central High School's student-athletes for drugs at random. Both Greene County Schools Athletics Director James Fulghum and Assistant Athletics Director Russell Brann commended the board for approving the random drug testing plan. "This will have a good impact on our athletics programs," Fulghum said. Brann said the random drug tests will cost about $3,000 to administer during the first year. Snow Hill Medical Center will conduct the random drug tests on school property. Brann said Monday night he had not discussed with the school board how the new program will be funded. Both Brann and Superintendent Steve Mazingo said the North Carolina High School Athletic Association may soon mandate that area school districts drug test their athletes. "It is a step in the right direction in terms of protecting our athletes from substances," Mazingo said. On June 26, 1995, the United States Supreme Court ruled that middle and high-school athletes can be required to submit to drug tests as a condition of athletic participation, according to the Cato Journal. The North Carolina General Assembly will consider Senate Bill 161 during its 2008 session. The bill was left in committee when the 2007 General Assembly session closed. If the bill is passed into law, it would "direct the state board of education to adopt rules requiring random testing of students participating in interscholastic athletic activities for performance enhancing drugs." The drugs prohibited by the new Greene County School policy include steroids, alcohol, cocaine, opiates, marijuana, amphetamines, methamphetamines, barbiturates, PCP, and LSD. A first positive drug test will carry an automatic suspension for the remainder of the athletic season. Student-athletes who fail a second random drug test will be suspended for the remaining season and an additional 12-month suspension will be enforced. A third failed drug test will include both a season-long suspension and an additional 24-month suspension. Brann said student-athletes will receive drug counseling during a suspension and must present a negative drug test result to the school district before being reinstated to an athletic program. According to Brann, a failed random drug test cannot be used to criminally prosecute a student-athlete. After reviewing the plan, school board attorney John Walston said it met all legal requirements. Before each sport season, Fulghum or Brann will conduct a Greene Central Random Drug Testing orientation session for athletes. The student-athletes and their parents will be required to sign a written consent to random drug testing before the student participates on an interscholastic athletic team or cheerleading squad. Brann said they will conduct one round of random drug test on 10 percent of the athletes who participate in fall, winter, and spring sports programs. The new policy will also allow the principal or athletic directors to order additional random drug testing during a season. "I don't think this random drug testing plan will single out the athletes," Brann said. "We want them to participate in a drug free environment." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake