Pubdate: Tue, 29 Jul 2008
Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2008 Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.heraldtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/398
Author: Christopher O'Donnell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

DOUBTS DELAY DRUG-TESTING PROGRAM PLAN

MANATEE COUNTY - A new random drug testing program, yet to be 
implemented by the school district, is geared toward helping, not 
punishing, students.

The first time a high school athlete or cheerleader tests positive 
for an illegal drug or alcohol, he or she would only face a 30-day 
ban from participating in those activities. The student would not 
even be thrown off the team.

Just one problem. Those rules conflict with the district's 
long-standing policy of suspending students found to be under the 
influence of illegal drugs for 10 days and possibly expelling them.

Doubts about the federally funded testing program led the School 
Board on Monday to delay hiring a drug technician to conduct the 
testing. Board members also expressed concern that there has not been 
enough public discussion on the plan.

But delaying the program could affect the status of the grant. The 
district received $103,000 for the first year of testing from the 
U.S. Department of Education. The money is intended to cover a full 
year of testing.

"We may have some problems with accepting this grant and going 
ahead," said Schools Superintendent Roger Dearing. "Worst case 
scenario: we wouldn't be able to implement it before the second semester."

District officials had planned to begin testing students in 
September. They proposed testing up to 50 percent of Manatee's high 
school athletes and cheerleaders using a urine test that detects use 
of marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, Xanax and Valium, among 
other substances. A separate breath test for alcohol would also be 
given to students selected to be tested.

The random testing would give athletes and cheerleaders a strong 
reason to defy peer pressure and refuse to consume alcohol or drugs, 
proponents said.

Manatee officials applied for the grant because they believe drug use 
by county students is above the state average, said Skip Wilhoit, a 
teacher with Manatee's Safe and Drug-Free Schools program.

But, in Florida, random drug testing is the exception, not the norm. 
Only 11 of the state's 67 districts conduct testing, according to 
Manatee's grant application. A state-wide program that tested 
athletes for steroid use ended in May and has not been refunded.

Several board members have said they support the idea but that the 
district needs to spend time making the case for testing.

"I think there's a real need to ensure parents understand what we are 
doing," said School Board member Harry Kinnan.

"I'd like to see brought back a plan for giving out information with 
time lines first for the students, then with the parents and even 
with the coaches," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom