OTHER DISTRICTS PLEASED WITH DRUG-TESTING POLICIES

When the Conway School District Board of Education adopted the random
drug testing of students involved in extracurricular activities, it
was following a precedent set by other districts in Faulkner County.
When the 2001-2002 academic year begins this fall, Conway will be
joining Vilonia and Greenbrier in mandating a random testing policy
for extracurricular students in grades seven through 12. Students
tested will have the opportunity to appeal positive tests.

If the test results are upheld, the student will face a 20-day
probationary period in which participation in any extracurricular
activity is forbidden.

At the conclusion of the 20-day period, the student will be retested
and reinstated in the activity if the test results are negative.

Positive test results will also result in parental notification and
mandatory drug counseling. Supporters of the policy believe that it
provides an excuse for students to stay away from drug use. David
Bangs, assistant principal at Vilonia High School, claims that the
policy helps students by reducing peer pressure. "It gives them a true
reason to say no," said Bangs, who believes that students will be more
likely to abstain from drug use if their extracurricular activities
are at stake.

Bangs was at the forefront of bringing the policy to Vilonia two years
ago and said that the results have been gratifying. While Bangs said
that the policy has not had a large effect on the number of
disciplinary cases involving drug use, he believes the policy is
heading off problems before they start.

Since the district implemented drug testing procedures in 1998, there
have been a total of 26 disciplinary cases.

Bangs said that the district planned extensively before implementing
the policy, and the result has been a generally warm reception. "We
had a lot of discussion," said Bangs about the initial planning
process. "After it got in place, it was well received."

While the continuation of the policy has been relatively uneventful,
administrators in both Greenbrier and Vilonia realize the potential
for opposition. Select parents in both districts have raised
objections to the policy, claiming that it violates the privacy of
students involved in extracurricular activities. However, Bangs said
that the policy has the support of most parents.

"A large majority of (parents) were thankful it was in place," says
Bangs.