MEETING TO FOCUS ON SCHOOL DRUG TESTS

Morton Parents, Students Can Learn About Program

MORTON - Parents and students can learn about Morton High School's
new random drug testing program at a meeting Tuesday night in the
high school's Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center.

Students involved in extracurricular activities and those who
purchase a campus parking pass will be subject to the urinalysis
tests conducted by the Tazwood Mental Health Center. Parents and
students are required to sign a consent form for the testing if
involved in extracurricular activities. If the form is not signed,
the student is not eligible for extracurricular activities.

High School Activities Director Greg Pritchard, who is overseeing the
drug testing program, will give a presentation about the program at
the meeting, then open the floor to questions.

"I imagine most of the questions will be about the confidentiality of
the test results," Pritchard said.

Pritchard said only the student, parents, Principal Dennis Johnson,
Pritchard and the extracurricular activity's coach or sponsor will
know the results.

Under an agreement between District 709 and Tazwood that begins Aug.
25, a minimum of 10 students will be tested weekly, with each test
costing the district $35. Students will be tested for alcohol,
amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, creatinine,
marijuana and opiates.

Because testing is random, some students could be tested multiple
times in a school year.

Police will not be notified of a positive drug test, but a student
will be subject to the penalties imposed in the appropriate athletic
or activity code. Help will be made available, with parents bearing
the brunt of the financial obligation.

"When a student tests positive, our No. 1 goal will be to get the
student some assistance, though treatment isn't mandatory," Pritchard
said.

While Pritchard has a good idea of what questions he'll be asked
tonight, he knows he may not have all the answers.

"If I don't have an answer, I'll get one," Pritchard
said.

Superintendent Roger Kilpatrick is certain the drug testing program's
first year will be a learning experience.

"We've studied what other districts have done, but until you've done
it yourself, you really don't know how it'll work," he said.

Kilpatrick feels comfortable with Tazwood conducting the
testing.

"It's important that the testing is done independently of the
district," he said. "It removes the burden from our staff. This setup
is good for our students and staff."

About 600 students, approximately two-thirds of the high school's
enrollment, were involved in extracurricular activities last school
year.

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Drug testing meeting

What: Informational meeting on Morton High School's new random
urinalysis drug testing program for students involved in
extracurricular activities. Students who purchase a campus parking
pass also are subject to a test.

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center at the high school, 350 N.
Illinois Ave.