HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MAY FACE DRUG TESTING POLICY

High school students in Amador County may get drug testing added to
their curricula if they want to continue participating in school
sports and other extracurricular activities.

The Amador County Unified School District Board of Trustees is
considering a policy on student drug testing, based on coach and
community surveys and students interviews, that would require a
random testing program for students participating in extracurricular
activities.

Mike Carey, superintendent of schools in Amador County, addressed
board members at the district's bi-monthly meeting Wednesday night at
the County Administration center in Jackson regarding the issue.
After observing meetings between board members and high school
students last week as they discussed the drug testing issue, Carey
said he "found it interesting to see what the students had to say."

"Many of them were open to drug testing," he said, adding that he got
a "clear message" that a policy requiring such should be looked into.

According to data from 2007, 13 percent of high schools in the U.S.
have a drug testing program in place, Carey told the board. Cost per
test was thought to be $20 to $50, he said, noting that after further
research, he found that tests could cost as low as $4 each.

"It's not a real expensive program."

The board has reviewed seven current testing policies, according to
an Amador County Public Schools document available at the meeting.
District attorneys will review the proposed policy.

Students who participate in extracurricular activities such as
athletics, drama and other activities may be affected if the policy
is enacted, Carey said. Students in band would, most likely, not have
to participate in testing, he said. "I'd want to run it by our legal
council (though)."

Board Clerk Karl Knobelauch asked Carey what would be done in the
case of drug tests that may result in "false positives"; for example,
he said, poppy seeds may test positive for Opiates.

In that case, a second testing would be done, Carey said.

Parents would also have the option of nominating their children to
take a drug test, he added.

Board members will discuss the issue at the next district meeting,
which begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 at the Amador County
Administration Building.