SCHOOL DRUG TESTS YIELD NO POSITIVES

The Rankin County and Pearl school districts have completed two rounds of
random drug testing without a single positive test.

District officials are praising the policy's effectiveness while waiting to
hear if federal funds will help pay for the program. More than 130 students
in the districts were randomly tested in August and September, officials said.

"With that many testing negative, compared to other school districts, I
think it works as a great deterrent so far," said Justin Hallett, the
Rankin County district employee who helped draft the drug-testing policy.
Rankin County schools adopted a drug-testing policy in May after the Pearl
district approved its policy in April. Fewer than 10 districts statewide
have policies.

Only students in extracurricular activities and those who signed up
voluntarily are subject to the random drug testing. Officials also can test
students reasonably suspected of using drugs. Hallett said two students
have been signed up by their parents for voluntary testing so far. Only
athletes, band members, cheerleaders and dance team members about 1,000
students -- are being randomly tested in the Pearl district. Officials also
can test under reasonable suspicion.

"If they get caught, then they're terminated. They're out," Pearl High band
director Ted Burns said of his 160 members.

"Anything we can do to keep them from trying drugs and experimenting with
them is a good thing," he said. "But it's a shame so many kids are doing it
that we have to come to this point."