DRUG TESTING FORUMS SCHEDULED

SOUTH COUNTY - High school officials at Mount Shasta and Weed high
schools are gearing up for public forums where they plan to discuss
the subject of random drug testing of students.

MSHS principal Jim Cox and WHS principal Mike Matheson will host
separate forums on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. at their respective schools. They
are inviting the public to come and voice their concerns about the
controversial issue.

Siskiyou Union High School District is considering implementing a
random drug test policy for student athletes and elected student body
officers.

The random test would be administered with an oral swab that tests
for amphetamines, cocaine, methamphetamines, opiates, PCP and THC.

The issue of random testing was brought to the SUHSD board's
attention by a recommendation from Cox and Matheson.

Proponents say the implementation of the policy would curb drug use
among students. Detractors say it is a violation of rights.

The issue was on the agenda at a previous board meeting and will be
revisited at an upcoming meeting that will take place at 3:30 p.m. on
Aug. 9 at McCloud High School.

But before the board makes any kind of decision which direction the
testing, if any, will take, they say that they need to hear from the
public.

The forums will provide that opportunity.

Siskiyou Union High School District superintendent Dick Holmes said
suggestions and alternatives were welcome and that the board only
"signed the first reading" to "stimulate discussion" in the first
place.

"It's an opportunity for dialogue," Holmes said. "The forums are
designed for public input specific to addressing solutions as well as
symptoms of the problem of substance abuse."

"This is really a community issue," Matheson said. "It's important if
we put a policy in place that we get input from the community."

Matheson said initial reaction from the public has been positive -
sort of.

"Parents have indicated to me that they support the concept," he
said. "But maybe without targeting athletes and maybe testing all
students."