FATHER FIGHTS SCHOOL SUSPENSION OF SON, 12, FOR REFUSING DRUG TEST

LOCKNEY, Texas (AP) - A father launched an appeal yesterday
challenging the suspension of his 12-year-old son for refusing to take
a drug test required of every student in the school district.

The Lockney district has decided to punish sixth-grader Brady
Tannahill, the only student to refuse the test, as if he had tested
positive. He faces a 21-day suspension from extracurricular
activities, at least three days' suspension and substance abuse counseling.

Brady could also be required to take a drug test every month for a
year. Each time he refuses, it will be considered a repeat offense,
and the punishment escalates.

The school board approved the drug policy last year. The mandatory
testing of the district's teachers and 399 students in grades six
through 12 was completed Thursday.

Larry Tannahill met with his son's junior high principal
yesterday.

``That is basically the start up of the appeal,'' Tannahill said.
``That will give Brady another 10 days in school, just like nothing
happened, and then we'll go to the school board.''

Graham Boyd, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union's
national drug-policy project, said he was unaware of any other school
district in the country that requires across-the-board testing.

Boyd said cases challenging school drug testing for students in
extracurricular activities have been filed in Indiana, Oklahoma,
Arkansas and in Texas.

Most residents in this town of 2,240 people support the policy,
Superintendent Raymond Lusk said.

``You either have a drug policy or you don't,'' Lusk said. ``Drugs are
not just in the cities. They're in small-town America.''

The idea for a new tough anti-drug policy began in 1997, after 13
people in Lockney were indicted on charges of distributing and using
cocaine and marijuana. Residents indicated at community meetings that
they supported drug testing of all students, not just those involved
in extracurricular activities.

Tannahill, however, said the policy tramples his parental rights and
could deny his son access to a public education. On a fourth offense,
the policy calls for a student to be suspended from all school
activities for the remainder of his or her career, removed to an
alternative school for at least 30 days, given 12 sessions of
substance abuse counseling and disqualifed from all honors.

``My son is an A and B student,'' Tannahill said. ``He's never been in
trouble and right now they are saying he's guilty.''