HIGH SCHOOLS: Judge halts drug testing program for athletes

(c) 1997 Copyright Nando.net
(c) 1997 Associated Press

HACKENSACK, N.J. (Oct 29, 1997 17:16 EST) Despite high school football
players' charges that teammates use marijuana, cocaine and LSD, a school
cannot randomly test athletes for drugs without more proof of widespread
abuse, a judge says.

Tuesday's ruling by Superior Court Judge Sybil Moses means Ridgefield Park
school district must bring guidance counselors, coaches, teachers and
students into court to testify about drug use among athletes.

Ridgefield Park unanimously adopted a testing policy in June. Two months
later, civil liberties lawyers filed a challenge on behalf of a high school
football player.

Moses temporarily barred the high school from testing more students in
August, and on Tuesday delayed her injunction until a spring hearing.

The challenge is the first against random drug testing of athletes in New
Jersey schools. At least eight state school districts currently test
student athletes for drugs. The policy was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court
in 1995, but civil liberties attorneys say New Jersey law is stricter,
permitting drug testing only when the student appears to be under the
influence.

Under the Ridgefield Park policy, students who fail the test must either
enroll in a substanceabuse program or leave the team.

The district tested 60 students in August before the injunction, and none
tested positive.

However, 21 athletes, coaches and administrators have filed affidavits
saying drug abuse is widespread on the team that won two state
championships in its group.

In one affidavit, a senior football player identified only by his initials
said: "Marijuana use is very commonplace among athletes ... approximately
two years ago, athletes began experimenting with drugs other than
marijuana. There was a lot more use of hard drugs such as acid and coke."

Others say they suspect some players of using steroids and think more than
half the football players smoke marijuana.

Robert Wilson, father of the 16yearold linebacker suing the district,
welcomed Tuesday's ruling, saying the district overstepped its authority.

"What's next?" he said. "A random pregnancy test of cheerleaders?"