Drug tests at schools debated

Issue coming before Granite Falls board

By ERIC STEVICK
Herald Writer

GRANITE FALLS A proposal to test Granite Falls student athletes
for drugs is either a step in the right direction to help young people or

another Big Brother power grab.
Those were some of the sentiments expressed Tuesday by more than
30 parents, school staff and students on a draft policy that could be
adopted by the school board Thursday.
Many opponents said it would be discriminatory against athletes and
should apply to everyone including teachers, staff and school
administrators. Opponents also said it was a blatant invasion of privacy
and an erosion of constitutional rights.
Bud Krom, a father with a daughter and a son at the high school,
said: "In my opinion, if drug testing isn't a violation of your rights,
how
personal can you get?"
Jim Brazee said he went to war to preserve the rights of his family
and his country.
"We have seen so much taken away from us over the last 30 years,"
he told students who favored drug testing. "We are thinking about your
rights. We love you more than anything in the world."
Those favoring drug testing said they believe it will help students
avoid temptation and peer pressure.
Cherie Tregoning, a parent who has had seven children go through
the district, said: "If there's any way we can help these kids to be able
to
say no, it's worth it. ... It's a matter of setting boundaries."
Many students said there is a drug problem among athletes and
nonathletes alike.
"If we have this before us, maybe it will help us make the right
decision," student Corey Perrault said.
Knowing a urinalysis could await on Monday may make students
think twice about drinking a beer on Friday, he said.
Rachel Quarterman, a senior, told adults that there is a huge drug
and
alcohol problem at the school and drug testing should be encouraged.
"I think some of the parents need to take a reality check," she said.
School administrators unveiled several of their drugpolicy
recommendations at Tuesday's meeting.
Specifically, 125 tests would be given throughout the year on a
random basis among the 250 students who take part in athletics at the
middle and high school levels.
The district proposal calls for a drugscreening procedure that would

cover 11 drugs and alcohol at a cost of $18.50 per test.
The main reason for the random testing rather than testing everyone
is it will save money, superintendent Gary Wall said. The drugtesting
program would be paid through the district's general budget at an
estimated cost of roughly $3,000.
Students filling out the drugtesting authorization form also would
agree to taking "a Breathalizer test as needed."
Students would not be suspended from school if they test positive for

illegal drugs not would the results become part of their academic record.
They would be referred to the school's drug and alcohol counselor
and would be barred from participating in sports against other schools
for a month.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that school boards can require
drug tests for student athletes. Even so, few school districts have
adopted drugtesting policies. In Washington, BurlingtonEdison,
Taholah and Orcas have testing policies.
of the 1,100 drug tests in the BurlingtonEdison school district this

year, 12 came back positive and there were no complaints from parents,
superintendent Wall said.
The American Civil Liberties Union in Seattle is monitoring student
drugtesting policies in this state and contends they may violate the
state constitution.