MARYVILLE CITY SCHOOLS IS LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF DRUG TESTS FOR
STUDENT ATHLETES.

The Maryville Board of Education gave Director of Schools Mike Dalton the
go-ahead to begin developing a possible athletic drug testing policy during
its Monday meeting.

Dalton presented the board members with a draft policy for their information.

"We wanted to present this just as a starting point," he said.

According to the draft policy, students taking part in athletics and
cheerleading could be randomly tested for drugs and alcohol as long as they
participated in the activities.

"The number and frequency of tests would depend somewhat on budgetary
considerations," Dalton said.

Athletic Director Jerry Thompson said he hopes to help students keep away
from drug use.

"Deterrent is the key word," Thompson said. ". . . I want them to have
another tool that will let them say no."

Athletics is dangerous enough with drugs, Dalton said.

"To add any kind of drug use to that obviously magnifies the risk," he said.

The policy would only cover athletes and cheerleaders, Dalton said.

"A general drug testing policy for all students is not constitutional," he
said.

Board Chairwoman Patsy Lunde said there would have to be much research
before any decision would be made on the policy.

"If it's a deterrent, I think it's a positive, but there may be negatives,"
Lunde said.

There may be financial considerations as well.

"Unfortunately, the cost might be an issue this year with budgetary
concerns," Lunde said. "I'm not sure we'll have extra money."

Dalton said there are plans to discuss and possibly develop the policy with
Alcoa City Schools and Blount County Schools.

"A county-wide policy really does appeal to me," Lunde said.