SOME SCHOOLS ADOPT, WEIGH DRUG TESTING

Two Local Private Schools Will Have New Programs In Place This Fall

At least two local private schools -- Macon-East Montgomery Academy and
Saint James School -- plan to start mandatory drug testing of students and
faculty when classes resume this fall, and several others are exploring the
option for the next academic year.

Area independent school leaders called on Thursday said they either are
studying whether to test, planning to seek public input or possibly
implementing such policies as early as 2004.

Alabama Christian Academy Headmaster Milton Slauson, for example, said his
school's administrators are in the early stages of developing a policy on
testing.

"The public may see it as a negative, but I see it as a positive step in
the right direction in providing youth with the support they need," Slauson
said. "It's unfortunate that we've come to that point in our society. I
think it needs to be done."

Parent Keith Loomis says he is comfortable knowing Macon-East can test his
three children, who attend the school. "It makes me feel like the school
cares about the total development of our children," Loomis said.

Macon-East parents were notified in May that ninth-through 12th-graders
will be required to undergo drug testing this fall -- along with board
members, administration and faculty.

Saint James School also plans to give random drug screens beginning in
October to administrators -- and middle and high school students involved
in extracurricular activities. By 2004-2005, the random testing will expand
to all employees and all students, grades 6-12.

Other local schools considering drug tests include Montgomery Catholic
Preparatory School, where students may be tested for drugs in 2004,
President Faustin Weber said. The school plans to sponsor a series of
meetings "to measure the community's position" on this issue, Weber said.

"We've been studying it for about a year," Weber said. "Obviously the
strongest argument is to give kids a tool to say 'No' when tempted. If
Catholic High were to move in that direction, that's the emphasis we'd like
to take."

At Taylor Road Academy, the school does not conduct across-the-board drug
testing except in "special situations," Headmaster John Booth said.
Students there are tested if drug use is suspected or if officials have
reservations before accepting a student.

"I have a feeling this is something most schools will probably move into,"
Booth said. "I may not necessarily like it, but I think it's appropriate to
the reality of our times."

Most public school officials said they are faced with legal implications
and financial constraints for a sweeping drug policy.

Montgomery Superintendent Clinton Carter has said the system has other
priorities. Bruce Fulmer, superintendent of Elmore County Schools, believes
that public schools may begin to study the issue as it eventually could be
linked to accountability standards.

In Autauga County, a community initiative, Independent Decision Program,
gives students the option of being tested for tobacco and drugs. Those who
test negative for drugs in random screenings receive discounts and other
perks from more than 65 businesses.

About 56 percent of Autauga County's public and private school students in
grades 7-9 participate in the program, said Martha Ellis, executive
director of Peers Are Staying Straight.

For instance, eighth-graders in Autauga who said they've tried marijuana
fell from 16.4 percent in 2000 to 8.5 percent in 2003.

Autaugaville School has the highest percentage of participation, running an
average of 90 percent.

"We're hiding our heads in the sand if we think there is not a drug problem
in Montgomery or any school for that matter," said Taylor Road Academy's
Booth. "Anyway we can help a kid stay off drugs, the better off our schools
will be, plus society."

(Sidebar)

THINGS TO CONSIDER

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy offers the following
advice to schools considering implementing drug testing programs:

Get plenty of public input: The decision should involve the entire
community -- including parents, community leaders, health-care agencies,
businesses and students.

Make sure need is real: A need can be determined from student drug-use
surveys, reports by teachers and other school staff about student drug use,
reports about drug use from parents and others in the community and from
discoveries of drug paraphernalia or drug residue at school.

What if student drug use is a problem? Schools will want to consult early
in deliberations with an attorney familiar with student drug testing laws.
Seek the advice of drug prevention and treatment professionals, and also
contact officials at schools that have implemented drug testing programs to
learn what works and what doesn't.

Pay attention to naysayers: Bring together anyone who has an interest in
reducing student drug use -- even those who are against the idea.