Author: MICHELLE TERWILLEGER

[Note: Do you agree with Corona del Mar High officials decision to randomly
test athletes and cheerleaders for drugs? Leave your comments on our
Readers Hotline at 2136426086. ]

Drug testing for high school athletes to begin. Corona del Mar officials
say they'll begin random, weekly tests in the next few weeks.

CORONA DEL MAR A controversial plan to require high school athletes and
cheerleaders to agree to drug testing will finally begin in the next few
weeks at Corona del Mar High School.

The school will be the first in the NewportMesa district to require
athletes to sign an agreement for random drug tests while participating in
interscholastic sports. "If they refuse to sign and refuse to participate,
they may not participate in athletics," assistant principal Robert Cunard
said. "It makes it easier [for athletes] to say no to the use of drugs and
alcohol."

Every week, school administrators will randomly draw the names of five
female and five male athletes who will have to produce urine samples. The
results will go directly to the parents, and the school will only be
notified at the end of the year of how many samples were taken and the
number of positive results.

"If there were a positive test, they as a family could address the issue
rather than the school," Cunard said. "Our parents in our attempts to poll
them have been overwhelmingly supportive."

School board members approved the program in May 1996 after many Corona del
Mar parents requested it, but the school did not institute it until this
year because of a lack of funding. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1995
that drug tests for student athletes are constitutional.

Dennis Alshuler, a varsity football, basketball and volleyball player, said
he was sure that everyone would agree to the test, and he thought it would
bring the football team closer together. "On the football team, it's not a
huge problem," Alshuler said. "It's not a big deal. We're all friends, and
we're not into that. Only your parents find out [the results], and I'm on
good relations with my parents." He also said he thought it would keep some
athletes from using drugs and alcohol.

Hoag Hospital is sponsoring the $7,000 test program, and a private doctor
will conduct the screenings. Commonly abused drugs such as alcohol,
marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, heroin and PCP will show up on the tests
but steroids will not because they cannot be detected by urine samples.

Principal Don Martin has said while the urine analysis will cost about $18
per athlete, testing for steroids would cost closer to $80.

Students on the equestrian and rowing teams will not be subject to the test
because the teams are not directly sponsored by the school, Cunard said.