High school athletes will be randomly tested for drug use now that the school board approved a mandatory drug testing policy for student-athletes last Thursday. The vote was unanimous. Parents and members of the White County Meth Task Force present at the meeting thanked school officials for initiating the policy. No one voiced opposition to the new policy at the school board meeting. "If a (school) policy like this had been in place my daughter might be alive today," said Melissa Adams whose daughter, Shannon Harter, was killed five years ago in Harrison County, Miss. Harter's boyfriend later committed suicide and is believed to have been involved in her death. Adams said no one knew that her daughter's boyfriend was using drugs at the time. [continues 457 words]
White County school officials heard opinions for and against instituting a policy of testing student-athletes for drugs March 7. About 15 people showed for the district's information session on the proposed drug screening program, including educators, two representatives from the the Northeast Georgia Medical Center toxicology laboratory in Gainesville, one student and a handful of parents. Former White County High School principal and coach Billy Jenkins said he is opposed to drug testing students. Jenkins submitted a position paper to the school board outlining his objections to the proposed policy. [continues 703 words]
