DRUG TESTING APPROVED IN BRIDGE CITY

BRIDGE CITY - Middle and high school students who wish to participate in
extra-curricular activities or drive to school next year will be required to
submit to random drug testing.

School board members voted Thursday night to implement a drug-testing policy
for secondary students. Teachers may also submit voluntarily to the random
program.

Most parents and students at a public forum Thursday favored the policy;
however, three men spoke out against it.

"So, the kids can't say a prayer, but we want to test them for drugs," said
Mike Peoples, a parent. "There's plenty (of drugs) in these schools; we all
know it. There's just got to be a better way."

The district plans to conduct random urine tests of at least 10 students per
month for codeine, marijuana, cocaine, LSD and other drugs.

A student who tests positive will be suspended from all extra-curricular
activities and driving for 60 days.

A second positive test will result in a one-year suspension of activity and
driving privileges.

"We'd love to be directing our money somewhere else," board member Nina
Leifeste said. "We've got to step out and be proactive."

Several parents and students acknowledged a drug problem in Bridge City
schools and said drug testing might help eliminate some of the problems.

Gayle Thurman, director of Artie B.'s Bridge of Hope, said 15 out of 20
youth in an alcohol class she taught last month were from Bridge City. Only
one of them had used only alcohol.

"These people eat tabs (a synthetic drug) like they're going out of style,"
she said. "I think the major thing is to try to help the kids."

Bridge City Police Major George Navarro said marijuana and ecstasy are the
most common drugs in the community.

"We attribute that to they're a little more accessible and cheaper," he
said.

Teenager Andrea Mambretti, who is the school mascot, said she supports the
school's new policy.

"You pee in a cup. It's not hurting you," she said. "Our main problem in the
world is drugs."

The school board allocated $12,000 of next year's budget for the program.
Depending on an upcoming court ruling, the board might make random testing
mandatory for teachers later this summer.

"This isn't fun; this isn't easy," Leifeste said. "We don't want to spend
our money on this. But it's something we have to do."