BOARD PONDERS RANDOM DRUG TESTING

Over 75 parents, students, members of the medical field, law
enforcement community and other interested parties, along with some
Navasota ISD personnel, turned out Monday night to voice their
support for a drug testing program for NISD students involved in
extracurricular activities.

The special NISD Board of Trustee workshop session in the high
school library featured a presentation by Allyson Collins, Senior
Attorney for the Texas Association of School Boards who discussed
the process of the testing procedures and just which students can be
randomly tested and how the test can be administered.

Prior to hearing for Collins the board took comments from the
audience, all of whom favored a drug-testing program for Navasota
students. The board heard from several parents and community members
as well as from Dr. C.H. Prihoda, Grimes County Child Welfare
chairperson Beth Downing and Justice of the Peace, Pct 1, John LeFore.

Dr. Prihoda encouraged the board to give serious consideration to
implementing a comprehensive testing plan, saying it is necessary if
students involved in drugs are to receive help. Mrs. Downing also
asked the board to find funds for the program and cited recent drug
related arrests as indications of drug problem.

"Part of providing a quality education is providing a safe
environment for students. A drug testing program would go a long way
in making Navasota campus' safer," she said.

LeFore, long an advocate of drug testing in schools said he deals
with student drug offenders on a regular basis. "If the school had a
testing plan in place some of the students who come before him might
be helped through treatment," LeFore said.

The JP went to say the abuse of prescription drugs is increasing,
presenting another problem. "We have to do something to bring things
into order," he said.

In making her presentation, concerning the legal issues of student
drug testing, Collins said existing laws would only allow mandatory
random drug testing of student athletes and for students in all
extracurricular activities, not an entire student body. Other
students can be tested if it is suspicion-based. According to the
material distributed by Collins a drug test is a search and rules
for a lawful search must be followed.

According to information furnished by Collins testing cost would be
between $10 and $50 dollars depending on the drugs tested for.
Testing for steroids would be an additional $100-$150. While the
district would have to find funds to implement a testing program
they were told grants were available.

After hearing the comments and presentation Board president Bob
Blalock explained the meeting was a workshop and not action would be taken.

"We appreciate the interest shown. We'll take what we've heard
tonight and work on developing a program for the NISD," he said.