HALL SCHOOLS ISSUE WISE DRUG POLICY

Upon graduating from Johnson High School here in Hall County in 1973, I
proceeded to a gathering that night being held on Lake Lanier. Still wearing
my graduation gown over my clothes, and being an irresponsible hipster dufus
at the time, I proceeded to jump into the lake. It didn't take long for the
heavy, wet material of the gown to completely consume my entire body,
including wrapping around my head. I literally was to the point of drowning.

Fortunately for me, I survived. I made a stupid, reckless decision
without thinking about the possible ramifications. Now, I'm not
divulging this bit of information simply for the purpose of allowing
my weekly lunch buddies an opportunity to give me a hard time.

And that was by no means my only idiotic youthful act. No, that day
over 31 years ago came to mind last week in a conversation with Hall
County Board of Education Community Affairs Director Gordon Higgins.

Gordon, in explaining a newly adopted drug policy, said to me that
kids can sometimes do some goofy things. And that's true. Whether it
relates to drugs, or just jumping in the lake with a clear mind and a
full set of clothes on.

Higgins also said that the board members wanted to give
student-athletes who test positive for banned drugs a chance to right
the bad decision they had made. At a recent meeting of the Hall County
Board of Education, board members unanimously approved mandatory
random drug screening for student athletes only.

Higgins acknowledged that the school board's new policy is unique to
school systems in Georgia. That is saying a lot for a state with 159
counties.

The Hall County program has a well-planned, three-strikes-and-you're-out
format. The board, in mulling over the options for such a possible
program, included the opinions of teachers, coaches and parents, all
of whom suggested the program be mandatory.

In a society that has become completely obsessed, and rightfully so
for the most part, with school safety and student well-being, this
program will allow for ample assistance for student athletes violating
the drug abuse policy. Parents or guardians would be notified of the
first positive drug screenings, as well as the requirement that the
student enroll in a drug counseling program approved by the school's
principal. The student also will be banned from 10 percent of the team
games for the season.

Second and third positive tests will subject the student athlete to
additional required treatment, a minimum of a four-week suspension on
a second offense, and the guarantee of suspension of all
interscholastic athletics for one calendar year if a test shows
positive for a third time.

Programs adopted by various school systems that have no margin for
error or room for negotiation, such as expelling students for
accidentally having a pair of toenail clippers or a pocket knife in
their backpack, are stupid, narrow minded, and serve no one but the
pompous folks who create them. They do absolutely nothing for the
student who may have made an honest legitimate mistake.

Hall County's new policy is strong, but not overbearing.

This mandatory program for Hall County student athletes obviously
leaves some additional questions and points of concern on the table
for discussion.

Such as, why were only student athletes included in the mandatory drug
screening program and not all extra curricular activities, such as
band, drama, etc.? Or for that matter, many will question why not just
include the entire high school population for mandatory testing? I
could only imagine that the sheer numbers involved with a blanket plan
would make such a venture virtually impossible.

There will be additional negative, as well as positive remarks related
to the plan. There always is. And I hope all of the current elected
officials, as well as the folks who volunteered their time in
structuring this policy are open-minded enough to know if any tweaking
of the plan needs to take place.

This is a bold move. Do nothing as it relates to teen drug use and
lose additional kids to the life-threatening, hellish world of drugs.
This sends a clear message that parents and educators in Hall County
are working toward nothing less than a drug-free environment and
striving to have an impact on students' lives.

"Kids can sometimes do some goofy things," to repeat what Higgins told
me. No one knows that better than I do. And I've never been ashamed to
admit it.

Dennis Pitts is a Gainesville businessman and former Hall County
Commissioner. His column appears on Mondays.