HALL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD TO BEGIN DRUG SCREENINGS OF DRIVERS

The Hall County School Board voted Monday to expand random, mandatory
drug testing to all permitted student-drivers as well as
student-athletes for the 2008-09 school year.

Until now, the school system has conducted random tests only on
student-athletes.

But board members hope the expanded program will further educate
students about the dangers and problems of alcohol and drug abuse and
give "kids another reason to say no," West Hall Athletic Director
Greg Williams has said.

And just like student-athletes who test positive for drugs, student
drivers who test positive the first time will not be allowed to drive
to school for 10 percent of the semester, according to the school
system's proposal.

"Our goal isn't to catch and punish. Our goal really is to intervene
and educate," spokesman Gordon Higgins has said. "All students who
have tested positive have to go into a drug counseling program, along
with their parents."

The cost of the expanded program will be covered by a $5 increase in
parking permits.

"Principals have told me they're already in the process of selling
permits for next year," Higgins said. "We see this as a partnership
between us and the parents and the community."

Higgins has said that next year, the school system wants to consider
expanding the program to include all students participating in
extra-curricular activities and, even later, middle school athletes