HARRISONBURG - The city School Board is waiting on a report on the viability of random drug-testing for all Harrisonburg High School students involved in extracurricular activities before moving forward on such a program. The board announced it was exploring the option last week as part of a report on the division's independent investigation into alleged drug use by HHS football players. Such testing policies, although still relatively rare, have been sanctioned by the U.S. Supreme Court and used by school systems in Virginia and across the country. [continues 688 words]
HARRISONBURG - The Virginia Senate on Friday passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Mark Obenshain that would stiffen penalties for the manufacturing, possession, use and distribution of methamphetamine. The Harrisonburg Republican said he introduced the legislation to bring penalties for meth in line with those for cocaine. Over on the House of Delegates' side of the General Assembly, the Courts of Justice Committee passed an identical bill introduced by Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Woodstock. Gilbert's bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee. [continues 252 words]
Board: Revision Maintains Substance Policy's Strength The penalty for possessing alcohol and drugs in Harrisonburg City Schools has been reduced but still carries the sting of suspension and a report to police. The School Board has eliminated the portion of the punishment that called for 30 days of alternative education outside of the student's regular classroom. At their meeting last week, board members also discussed whether the use of alcohol and drugs should carry different punishments. In ending the requirement for alternative education, members said a change in class scheduling since the time the punishment was enacted essentially doubled the regular instructional time missed. [continues 400 words]
College students with past drug convictions could receive financial aid, under a change proposed in Congress. But students who have a drug conviction while in college would no longer be eligible, according to a statement from Students for a Sensible Drug Policy. The bill, the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005, next goes to the full House for a vote before it can move to the U.S. Senate. In January, the congressionally-created Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance recommended that drug convictions were not relevant to aid eligibility. [continues 68 words]
