2 PARENTS QUESTION DRUG TESTING

The future of the Conway School District's
recently adopted drug testing policy was called into question during a
special Tuesday meeting of the district's Board of Education.

The board was addressed by Bruce Plopper, a Conway parent and
professor of journalism at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Plopper presented a four-pronged case against the district's recent
move to institute drug testing for students in grades 7-12 who are
enrolled in extracurricular activities.

The policy, which would take effect at the beginning of the 2001-2002
academic year, asks that students enrolling in extracurricular
activities sign a waiver agreeing to random drug testing.

The policy would withhold students with positive test results from
participating in activities, presentations and competitions for a
20-day probationary period. Plopper told the board that the testing of
students is legally questionable, due to a 1995 Supreme Court case
that upheld the right of an Oregon school district to test its
athletes for illegal substances. According to Plopper, the high court
rendered its decision because the school district in question was
saddled by a rebellious "drug culture" led by the athletes,
necessitating the testing.

Plopper maintains the decision was meant only to apply to athletes,
and the court has cautioned against the ruling being used as a basis
for a wider scope of testing.

Plopper also said research has yet to support the theory that drug
testing curtails drug use among students in grades 7-12. Plopper cited
an unscientific poll of 19 Conway High School-West students and
graduates that was conducted by his son. According to Plopper, nine of
the students polled said the implementation of testing would lead them
only to switch to other drugs, rather than refraining from use.

In addition, Plopper said an increased prevalence of drug test "kits"
designed to enable drug users to pass tests would harm the district,
which he claimed had chosen one of the least expensive drug-testing
methods available. "Drug testing, I believe, can do more harm than
good," said Plopper, who noted that drug testing was not an officially
endorsed practice by the National School Boards Association.

"That would be your group," Plopper told the board. Plopper's address
was followed by comments from Lynn Plemmons, a Conway attorney with
children in the district.

Plemmons told the board that the testing policy was unethical, due to
what he called an "invasion of privacy." "Should a child have to
surrender his or her rights?," asked Plemmons. "Can we afford to make
the rights of our children collateral damage in the war on drugs?"
Following their comments, board member Floyd Balentine admitted that
the current debate over testing ethics has no clear answer. "Until we
can get parents involved back in the lives of their kids, I don't know
what the answer is," said Balentine.

Board president Dr. Terry Fiddler also offered up his comments,
questioning the validity of the survey conducted by Plopper's son. "I
disagree with you that we would push them into anything," said
Fiddler, adding that a greater degree of input from other parents
would be appreciated.

"I appreciate involved parents," said Fiddler. "We so seldom have
that." Fiddler thanked both Plopper and Plemmons for their research
and input, stating a final decision on the policy would be given
during the board's meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 14.

After the meeting, Fiddler said the board's decision would take one of
three forms: The policy would remain in effect, it would be modified,
or its implementation would be delayed but unchanged.

Fiddler added he will look into the National School Boards
Association's position on testing, saying it will be a consideration
as the board looks into the policy.