DRUG TESTS FOR TOPS APPLICANTS, SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS PROPOSED

Bill Would Make Students Sign Pledge

BATON ROUGE -- High school seniors graduating in 2004 would have to pass a
drug test to qualify for the state's TOPS scholarship and face random drug
screenings in college to keep their awards, if a bill filed by a south
Louisiana lawmaker becomes law.

Senate Bill 117 by Sen. Butch Gautreaux, D-Morgan City, would add the
mandates to the grade-point requirements and other stipulations already in
the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students scholarship. The legislation
has been filed for consideration in the general legislative session that
begins March 31.

The bill would apply to all students on TOPS scholarships before the start
of the 2004 fall semester, Gautreaux said.

"If the state is going to pay for their education, the recipients should be
willing to abide by the laws of Louisiana," Gautreaux said.

The initial test would be paid for by the student. The later screenings
would be paid for by the state, when or if, the money is appropriated.

Jack Guinn, executive director of the Office of Student Financial
Assistance, which oversees TOPS, said he had not seen the bill and declined
comment. "It may be costly to do this," he said.

There are 39,167 students on TOPS grants now, and that should hit about
40,000 for the start of the fall semester, Guinn said.

The bill requires the scholarship recipient to sign a written agreement
pledging to "remain drug-free while enrolled" in school. Students who test
positive, refuse the drug test or decline to sign the pledge would be
ineligible for the scholarship.