NOTRE DAME PREPARES TO TEST STUDENTS FOR DRUGS

In early September, Notre Dame High will become the first school in
the area to begin random drug testing of its students.

The process is part of the Catholic school's Substance Abuse Free
Environment program, which was established to help implement the
Diocese of Knoxville's substance use, abuse and possession policy.
The school is operated under supervision of the diocese, but Notre
Dame is alone among diocesan schools in beginning the drug-testing
process.

"We can be passively tolerant," said Notre Dame principal Perry
Storey, "or we can be proactive and see that more kids make it."

Mr. Storey said six families told him they would not return for the
2001-02 school year because of the drug policy. However, he said, the
school ended the 2000 year with 572 students and would begin the 2001
year with 572.

Elizabeth Carignan is the mother of one of the students who is not returning.

"I don't have a problem with the drug-testing policy," she said, "but
I want to be the one to do it. We've always had a deal with our kids
that if they behave in a trustworthy way, we would trust them."

Students at Notre Dame will be tested beginning 14 days after the
start of classes, the SAFE policy states. Every student will be
tested at least once during the year, but some may be tested more
than once. The testing will be made through a small sample of hair.
Classes begin at Notre Dame on Aug. 20.

Mr. Storey said faculty members, by diocesan policy, are not
contractually mandated to submit to the drug tests, but 90 percent
voluntarily submitted to a urinalysis drug screen on Wednesday. All
of them passed, he said.

"That's a step forward to say they're good, positive role models for
our children," he said.

Bill Oliver, a former corporate business executive who quit to work
in the drug prevention field after his daughter ran away from home
and became hooked on drugs in 1978, spoke to the Notre Dame, St. Jude
and Our Lady of Perpetual Help school faculties Thursday. He spoke to
Notre Dame parents Thursday night.

The drug testing policy is "long past due" for schools, he said,
saluting the "vision and courageous, committed leadership" that began
it.

Mr. Oliver told teachers an employee on drugs is 40 percent less
effective than one who is drug-free.

"Can we afford a student population 40 percent less effective?" he asked.

Mr. Oliver called the testing policy a "building block" in a
drug-free atmosphere for students, but he said drug education belongs
with parents. He said if a student's life until the age of 21 is
compared to an hour, students spend only "five to six minutes" in
school.

"School is attempting to raise kids, and it can't do it," he said.
"Until we make the transition (back to parents), we will continue to
frustrate ourselves."

Mr. Oliver said more than 100 schools nationwide, including Christian
Brothers High School in Memphis, have begun or will soon start
similar policies.

"Parents are hungry to be proactive with their kids," he said.