NK CONSIDERS HIGH SCHOOL DRUG TESTS

Programs Now Used At Two Va. Schools

NEW KENT - The New Kent School Board is considering launching a program to
test high school students for drugs.

The board discussed this possibility Monday night after New Kent High
School Principal Yvonne Jones and Athletic Director Ed Allen reported on a
study they and other staff members have conducted.

Jones told the board that only two school systems in Virginia currently
test students for drugs -- Salem and Lynchburg. Salem's program is
voluntary and isn't working very well, while Lynchburg's mandatory program
has been in place for the past decade.

Lynchburg's program, Allen said, is considered a big success. It's regarded
as a safety measure there, primarily for athletes, to guard against
injuries or other health problems that might result when athletes use drugs.

Allen said that the testing is done during the interscholastic season for
each of the team sports. In addition, Lynchburg extends the testing to a
random 5 percent of the student body.

Downsides are the cost -- estimated to be about $15,000 to $20,000 to test
about 300 students in New Kent High School -- and the instructional time
lost to students while being tested.

School Superintendent Roy Geiger said another consideration would be the
effect of the school system's existing policy on drug offenses.

"We'd have to take a look at that," Geiger said, explaining that the
zero-tolerance policy calls for long-term suspension or expulsion from
school, which would mean the athlete could no longer play his or her sport.

Lynchburg's policy with the drug testing allows for a retest after 14 days
if a student's test is positive. The athlete can practice during these two
weeks, but cannot play. If the second test is positive, the student cannot
participate for a year, Allen explained.

Asked by Board Chairwoman Lisa Gill what kind of drugs Allen believe
students might be using, he said marijuana, alcohol and Ecstasy.

Ecstasy, he said, was not included among the drugs for which the students
would be tested.