ROSSFORD HIGH GETS DRUG TESTS FOR ATHLETES

Rossford High students who want to participate in athletics or
extracurricular activities this coming school year must first pass a
mandatory drug test.

The Rossford Board of Education approved implementing a drug-testing
policy at its meeting Monday, and plans to soon name an outside
agency to administer the testing, Rossford communications liaison
Diana Hersch said. "We're going to have a little teeth in our
zero-tolerance approach," she said.

Superintendent Luci Gernot said she recommended the program to the
board after seeing an increase in the number of Rossford students
reportedly using marijuana, according to a recent survey in Wood
County commissioned by Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. In 2004,
33.8 percent of 12th graders reported using marijuana in the past
year. That number jumped to 47.2 percent in 2006.

To combat those figures, all students participating in sports or
other extra-curricular activities will be tested for drugs before the
activity begins. Twenty percent of students participating in an
activity will be randomly selected for testing throughout the season.
The bill for the testing will go to the school board.

Those who test positive will face consequences.

On the first offense, a student would not be able to participate in
any athletics or extracurricular activities for at least four weeks
unless that student admits to using drugs or alcohol soon after the
offense. A student could also be assigned to special classes in drug
and alcohol education, support groups, possible treatment for
chemical dependency, or community service.

A second offense would bar a student from participating in any
extracurricular activity for one calendar year, and a third offense
would ban a student from participating in any extra-curricular
activities at Rossford schools.

"Our whole reason for having this is not to punish the students, but
to make sure they make good, sound, healthy choices," Ms. Gernot
said. "This gives our students another opportunity to avoid getting
into situations that might get them into trouble."

Rossford is not the only district that has established a drug-testing
program for district students.

In Ottawa County, the Genoa Area Local School District has had a
policy in place for athletes attending the district's middle and high
schools since fall, 2003.

In Erie County, the Margaretta Local School District plans to
institute a drug-testing policy this coming school year for students
in grades seven through 12 who participate in athletics or drive to
school.