Pubdate: Fri, 22 Aug 2008
Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO)
Copyright: 2008 The Springfield News-Leader
Contact:  http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129
Author: Cory de Vera
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

WILLARD TO EXPAND DRUG TESTING TO MIDDLE SCHOOL

Some Area Middle School Students Will Face A New Test This Year: 
Random Drug Testing.

At its regular board meeting Thursday night, the Willard Board of 
Education received an update on a program that is beginning this 
year. Most parents are signing the form that allows their child to be 
part of the testing pool, said drug-testing coordinator Dennis Twitchel.

Twitchel, a former assistant principal at the middle school, said the 
district wanted to take the testing program to middle school after 
implementing the program successfully last year at the high school.

At the high school level, any student who wishes to participate in an 
extracurricular or co-curricular program, or who wants a driving 
permit, must agree to go into the testing pool. Every two weeks, 20 
students from the pool are randomly selected for testing, said Twitchel.

If a test comes up positive, parents are informed, the student must 
go through counseling and the student is suspended from activities 
for 30 days for a first offense, 120 for a second offense, or for the 
rest of his or her school career for a third offense.

The middle school plans to randomly select 10 students every two 
weeks, said Twitchel. Penalties for a positive test in middle school 
are still being worked out.

Last year about 87 percent of high school students were in the 
testing pool. The program did catch some students with positive drug 
tests, but Twitchel declined to say how many.

The test screens for cocaine, marijuana, meth and certain 
prescription medications.

Data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Web 
site indicates Willard Middle School reported 21 drug incidents 
between 2003 and 2007.

The Logan-Rogersville Middle School reported five drug incidents 
between 2003 and 2007. That school is starting a drug testing program 
this year as well.

Twitchel said parents are very supportive of the program.

"It gives them bragging rights," he said. "They can say 'My kid is 
not on drugs, he peed in a cup.'"

Tessa Thornton, an eighth-grade volleyball player and choir member, 
called the new drug-testing program great.

"If someone is doing drugs, it can affect their body," she said. 
"It's great to have someone take care of their body. And if you are 
on an academic or athletic team, you are really being an example for others."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom