COUNTY EYES DRUG TESTS

Morgan County is joining other area school systems in forming a committee
to determine a drug testing policy for students involved in
extra-curricular activities.

Superintendent Don Murphy said drug testing would cost an estimated $35,000
to $50,000 per year.

"A lot of schools are going to this," Murphy said. "In Limestone County,
the first year of drug testing showed a 5 percent positive result and five
years later tests showed a 1 percent positive result. If we test 1,000 kids
and 5 percent or 50 kids test positive and a year later 1 percent test
positive, we've accomplished getting 40 kids off of drugs."

Murphy will conduct a search for those interested in serving on the committee.

The committee will decide such issues as: what grades will be tested-9-12
or 7-12; which extra-curricular activities will require drug
testing-athletics, band, cheerleading and other traveling groups; and how
often drug tests will be given-such an initial mandatory test for students
who wish to become involved in extra-curricular activities and then a
random computer-selected test for two students at each school for every
month thereafter.

Another consideration of the committee would be consequences for positive
drug testing results.

"We would like to start working on the committee now, but before any policy
is put in place, we would have to wait for the Supreme Court's ruling on
random drug testing," Murphy said. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently
hearing a case involving the testing of students in extra-curricular
activities. Board members Gary Cobb and Billy Rhodes agreed to serve on the
drug policy committee.