SUHSD DRUG TESTING PROPOSAL PUT ON HOLD

After several lengthy discussions and public comment at board
meetings and two special public forums, Siskiyou Union High School
District took no action August 9th on a drug testing proposal for
its Weed and Mount Shasta schools.

The issue is still alive, however, as both schools were directed to
create committees to further study the issue.

After public comment during last Wednesday's regular board of
trustees meeting and statements of support for the testing from Weed
principal Make Matheson and Mount Shasta principal Jim Cox,
superintendent Richard Holmes read a prepared statement outlining the policy.

"The superintendent supports outcomes associated with mandatory
random drug testing, reduction or elimination of drug use among
athletes or student body officers," Holmes said. "The implementation
and comprehensive understanding of the purpose and follow-up of
such a policy needs to be further explored. Therefore, it is my
recommendation that the board not take action at this time, but
direct the principals to appoint a site level task force to examine
the proposed policy and develop administrative procedures for its
implementation. In addition, the task force should work closely with
the athletic department in their efforts this year to review and
revise their athletic codes of conduct."

The task forces at each school will consist of three parents, three
students, two teachers, athletic director, principal and possibly a
school nurse and a representative from Siskiyou County Behavorial Health.

With some policy differences between the schools, the proposed drug
testing would include athletes, student body officers and pep squad
members. Students would be chosen at random and tested with an oral
swab that would be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The swab test
for for amphetamines, cocaine, methamphetamines, opiates, PCP and
THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

A first positive test would result in a two-week suspension from the
team, followed by suspension for the season for a second positive
test and suspension from that activity for the student's entire high
school career for a third positive test.

Parents would be notified of a positive result, but law enforcement
would not. A counseling component has been proposed and is being
explored, but is not currently available.

As they have in the past, Matheson and Cox supported the testing.

"Despite all our efforts with education and prevention, there is
still a problem," Cox said.

Cox said more study was needed with a consensus reached before
implementation. He also noted that alcohol, which parents and others
had said they considered a bigger problem than drugs, should be
included in the testing.

"I still believe drug testing should be a part of the discussions," Cox said.

Matheson said the district should not “hang our hat on"
testing, but it should be one component of a whole package."

Matheson said he supported the task force concept but said, "We're
missing an opportunity by not doing it now."

MSHS reported two alcohol incidents with sports team members last
year and WHS reported eight drug or alcohol incidents with the
targeted groups.

Many citizens who attended previous discussions were at the meeting,
expressing their opposition or support.

Among the objections were Constitutional rights of probable cause
and equal protection, that removing students from the teams was
counterproductive, and that the program unfairly singled out a
limited group of students.

"We're casting too big a net to catch too few kids," said a parent.
"We will have a constant cloud of suspicion over a certain group of kids."

Proponents have said the testing would provide a deterrent by
offering the target group a reason to say no, that research has
shown testing reduced drug use and that catching a drug problem
early could prevent greater problems.

One proponent expressed reservations as to what a positive result
could mean to a student.

"My concern is that a positive drug test could result in a student
being ostracized and singled out," she said.

Other proponents felt the two schools should have identical policies
and that the testing procedures, counseling program and consequences
needed additional refinement and study.

Other suggestions have included testing the entire target group at
the beginning of each season and drug counseling to entire teams
instead of the testing. A wrist ban worn for the entire season would
identify students as liable for testing as a way of reminding their
peers not to offer them drugs and their commitment to the team.

Board members did not comment on the issue. The previous vote on the
first reading of the policy was 6-1 in favor with trustee Lori Harch
voting no.