DISTRICT DEBATES DRUG TESTING

NORTHERN CAMBRIA - A Northern Cambria school committee meeting is
being held Tuesday to discuss implementing random drug testing.

In what has become more common in districts statewide, the board is
considering randomly testing students who participate in
extracurricular activities -- and possibly other students as well --
if the school is given parental permission.

The board is encouraging district residents to attend the meeting at
7 p.m. in the elementary/middle school auditorium.

"There's an inherent drug problem all over -- not just our area --
but you've got to start somewhere," district solicitor Gary Jubas
said.

Jubas cites a U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows random testing
for students who participate in athletics and other extracurricular
school activities.

With parents' permission, other students also may be tested randomly,
the Ebensburg attorney said.

The Central Cambria school board adopted a similar policy several
years ago.

The Altoona Area School District has a policy requiring athletes to
agree to testing if they want to play school sports.

Jubas said Northern Cambria's policy is being ironed
out.

The board has been studying the matter for several months, and
possible penalties for offenders likely will be a topic of discussion
next week.

"Penalties, for instance, for first or second offenses is something
we really haven't figured out yet," Jubas said.

"But we're not trying to create a policy to throw kids out [of
school] -- it's meant to get them help."