RANDOM DRUG TESTS PROPOSED FOR STUDENTS

Waukesha district considering rule for extracurricular
activities

Waukesha - Whether they're hitting the long ball or a high C, students
in extracurricular activities from baseball to the spring musical soon
could face an additional requirement: random drug testing.

If the proposal is adopted by the School Board, the Waukesha School
District would become the first Milwaukee-area school system to
conduct random drug tests on athletes and students in other
activities. High school students, and perhaps middle school students,
would be subject to the tests.

"It's a controversial area. It's an area that raises lots of
questions," James Haessly, the district's executive director of
student services and special education, told members of the School
Board's Policy Committee, which discussed the proposal Wednesday.

But, he said, it could be beneficial.

"We think it can serve as a deterrent for students who are
fence-sitters" when it comes to drug use, Haessly said.

Few other districts in Wisconsin do such testing. The Janesville and
Medford districts limit the tests to high school athletes, while the
Deerfield district randomly tests athletes and students in other activities.

The Waukesha district has applied for a state grant to cover the
program's $21,000 in lab and administration costs for two years.
Officials said the availability of the state funds would be a critical
factor for the School Board when it considers the plan.

Details of the program would have to be fleshed out over the summer,
with possible implementation by next fall. Issues that remain to be
discussed include how often students would be tested and what kinds of
drugs would be targeted in the tests.

Marijuana likely would be targeted. A 1999 survey indicated 40% of
district students had tried marijuana by 12th grade and that about 15%
of juniors and seniors were regular users. More expensive tobacco
tests might also be performed, although less frequently than testing
for other drugs, Haessly said.

Students who test positive would be found in violation of the
district's athletic and activities codes. Students caught using drugs,
alcohol or tobacco can be suspended for one to three events, under the
code.

Policy Committee and board members Jenifer Finley and Barbara Brzenk
expressed enthusiasm for the program.

Board member Roger Danielsen, however, said he had concerns about the
proposal.

"Kids can't learn if they're stoned," Danielsen said Thursday. "But,
on the other hand, I would hate to push kids out of the school
community and into the drug community by threatening to drug test
anyone who wants to participate in our wonderful extracurricular
activities."

Danielsen said he would favor another program Haessly said had been
used in districts elsewhere in the country. Under that program,
students who volunteer for random drug testing receive special
privileges such as free parking. But Haessly said Waukesha
administrators were not including that program in their proposal.

In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court tacitly approved drug testing for
students in extracurricular activities. At that time, the court
refused to hear an appeal of a 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
ruling that found the practice was constitutional in an Indiana case.
In a case from Washington state, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that
school districts could give random drug tests to athletes.

But Chris Ahmuty, executive director of the American Civil Liberties
Union of Wisconsin, said Thursday that just because districts can
conduct drug tests, doesn't mean they should.

"I think it's common sense that kids that are participating in
extracurricular activities are less likely to be in alcohol or drug
situations," he said. "This is really targeting that group of kids
that is at less risk for these unhealthy behaviors and sending them a
message that we don't trust you."

Students questioned outside of Waukesha South High School Thursday
afternoon expressed varying measures of support for random drug testing.

"I guess it's a good thing, because extracurriculars are kind of a
privilege, and the top students should be in them, and they should be
well-behaved," said Elizabeth Ristow, a sophomore who plays tennis on
South's team and the viola in the school orchestra. "Plus, we sign an
agreement to not use drugs, so this makes sure you keep the promise."

Freshman Cindi Irvine agreed that drug testing is fine for athletes,
"because if you're on drugs and exercising, you shouldn't be doing
that."

But she said it doesn't make sense for other activities, such as the
chess club.

For parent Marianne Freitag, whose eighth-grade daughter participates
in several sports, the drug tests would be another way for her to
monitor her daughter's activities.

"That way, it will get kids off drugs if you catch them," said
Freitag, who also has a son in the 10th grade. "If they do it
randomly, I don't see a problem."