DOUBTS DELAY DRUG-TESTING PROGRAM PLAN

MANATEE COUNTY - A new random drug testing program, yet to be
implemented by the school district, is geared toward helping, not
punishing, students.

The first time a high school athlete or cheerleader tests positive
for an illegal drug or alcohol, he or she would only face a 30-day
ban from participating in those activities. The student would not
even be thrown off the team.

Just one problem. Those rules conflict with the district's
long-standing policy of suspending students found to be under the
influence of illegal drugs for 10 days and possibly expelling them.

Doubts about the federally funded testing program led the School
Board on Monday to delay hiring a drug technician to conduct the
testing. Board members also expressed concern that there has not been
enough public discussion on the plan.

But delaying the program could affect the status of the grant. The
district received $103,000 for the first year of testing from the
U.S. Department of Education. The money is intended to cover a full
year of testing.

"We may have some problems with accepting this grant and going
ahead," said Schools Superintendent Roger Dearing. "Worst case
scenario: we wouldn't be able to implement it before the second semester."

District officials had planned to begin testing students in
September. They proposed testing up to 50 percent of Manatee's high
school athletes and cheerleaders using a urine test that detects use
of marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, Xanax and Valium, among
other substances. A separate breath test for alcohol would also be
given to students selected to be tested.

The random testing would give athletes and cheerleaders a strong
reason to defy peer pressure and refuse to consume alcohol or drugs,
proponents said.

Manatee officials applied for the grant because they believe drug use
by county students is above the state average, said Skip Wilhoit, a
teacher with Manatee's Safe and Drug-Free Schools program.

But, in Florida, random drug testing is the exception, not the norm.
Only 11 of the state's 67 districts conduct testing, according to
Manatee's grant application. A state-wide program that tested
athletes for steroid use ended in May and has not been refunded.

Several board members have said they support the idea but that the
district needs to spend time making the case for testing.

"I think there's a real need to ensure parents understand what we are
doing," said School Board member Harry Kinnan.

"I'd like to see brought back a plan for giving out information with
time lines first for the students, then with the parents and even
with the coaches," he said.