SCHOOL BOARD PASSES DRUG, ALCOHOL POLICY

Provides For Random Testing Of Athletes

The Hoboken Board of Education has adopted a new "Drug Free Schools Policy
and Procedure," which will allow school officials to randomly test students
who participate in athletics.

The policy is based on recommendations from the state's Department of Law
and Public Safety and Department of Education.

School officials are now allowed to conduct random testing of all high
school students who are members of athletic teams for steroids, alcohol,
amphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana.

Students wishing to play sports must sign a form consenting to random urine
testing and obtain written consent from their parents for testing when they
are having a physical prior to participating in the sport.

Test samples will be sent to an independent lab. If the test is positive,
the student and his or her parents will meet with school officials and they
will be given the option of undertaking an evaluation to determine the
extent and severity of use, and develop appropriate corrective action.

If the student or parent does not choose to participate, the student will
be suspended from athletics for the remainder of the season and for the
next athletic season.

Mary Schmidt, the district's substance awareness coordinator, said that
testing will likely occur only if one of Hoboken's teams reaches a state
championship. She said that if that happens, the New Jersey Interscholastic
Athletic Association could randomly test some of the athletes. She added
that the state would pay for the cost of the tests.

If students are suspected

The policy also states that if a staff member has reason to believe that a
student is under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, anabolic
steroids, or inhalants, they must immediately report their suspicions to
the principal, school nurse or substance awareness coordinator.

According the policy, signs of drug involvement include truancy, skipping
class, general loss interest in school, changes in personality, secretive
phone conversations, constant lying, overt hostility, outbursts,
depression, mood swings, anxiety, and unpredictable behavior.

The principal must immediately notify the parents of the student's behavior
and inform them that a medical examination with urine screening is
necessary. If the parents refuse the medical examination, the student will
be suspended for five days for the first offence and 10 days for the second.

If there is a positive test, the student will be suspended for five days.
The student will also be required to undergo an alcohol and drug assessment
by a certified professional. Failure to follow through with the
recommendations of the evaluation will result in an additional five-day
suspension and the case will by referred to the Division of Youth and
Family Services (DYFS).

No one from the public commented about the change in policy at Tuesday's
Board of Education meeting.