Pubdate:September 26, 1997 Source: L.A.Times Contact: Author: MICHELLE TERWILLEGER [Note: Do you agree with Corona del Mar High officials decision to randomly test athletes and cheerleaders for drugs? Leave your comments on our Readers Hotline at 2136426086. ] Drug testing for high school athletes to begin. Corona del Mar officials say they'll begin random, weekly tests in the next few weeks. CORONA DEL MAR A controversial plan to require high school athletes and cheerleaders to agree to drug testing will finally begin in the next few weeks at Corona del Mar High School. The school will be the first in the NewportMesa district to require athletes to sign an agreement for random drug tests while participating in interscholastic sports. "If they refuse to sign and refuse to participate, they may not participate in athletics," assistant principal Robert Cunard said. "It makes it easier [for athletes] to say no to the use of drugs and alcohol." Every week, school administrators will randomly draw the names of five female and five male athletes who will have to produce urine samples. The results will go directly to the parents, and the school will only be notified at the end of the year of how many samples were taken and the number of positive results. "If there were a positive test, they as a family could address the issue rather than the school," Cunard said. "Our parents in our attempts to poll them have been overwhelmingly supportive." School board members approved the program in May 1996 after many Corona del Mar parents requested it, but the school did not institute it until this year because of a lack of funding. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that drug tests for student athletes are constitutional. Dennis Alshuler, a varsity football, basketball and volleyball player, said he was sure that everyone would agree to the test, and he thought it would bring the football team closer together. "On the football team, it's not a huge problem," Alshuler said. "It's not a big deal. We're all friends, and we're not into that. Only your parents find out [the results], and I'm on good relations with my parents." He also said he thought it would keep some athletes from using drugs and alcohol. Hoag Hospital is sponsoring the $7,000 test program, and a private doctor will conduct the screenings. Commonly abused drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, heroin and PCP will show up on the tests but steroids will not because they cannot be detected by urine samples. Principal Don Martin has said while the urine analysis will cost about $18 per athlete, testing for steroids would cost closer to $80. Students on the equestrian and rowing teams will not be subject to the test because the teams are not directly sponsored by the school, Cunard said.