DRUG-FREE IN CABELL COUNTY SCHOOLS

The new random drug testing program for Cabell County schools is
supported by most students.

The program was implemented for the 2008-2009 school year. Students
who participate in athletics or purchase a parking pass at Cabell
Midland and Huntington high schools will be subject to random drug
testing throughout the year. All parents of Cabell County high school
students may volunteer their child to be drug tested for $27.

"The feedback's all been positive, we really haven't had any students
complain at all," Administrative Assistant for Secondary Education,
Todd Alexander, said. According to Alexander, the policy was
implemented due to drug problems in Cabell County.

Students are required to attend an orientation session and submit a
letter of consent signed by their parents or guardians before
beginning athletic practice or accepting a parking pass.

Testing is administered by Sport Safe Testing Services, and screens
for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, methadone, methamphetamine,
amphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and
alcohol. Parents or guardians are contacted immediately following a
positive test result. Students who test positive for drugs must
receive drug counseling and submit to further drug testing in order
to continue athletic participation or driving to school. The drug
testing information will not be added to a student's permanent
record, nor will it be given to law enforcement.

"I think the policy is a great idea for athletes and gives all the
kids a better reason to say no," Veronica Mins, a Huntington resident
and mother of a HHS student, said. Toquan Hayes, Mins's son, plays
football at HHS. Mins said the policy will lower drug usage among
students and help raise awareness of the problem, but is unfair to
test students who drive to school.

"If you have a driver's license you should be allowed to drive
wherever you want. I don't think it's fair to test kids for drugs
just because they're driving to school," Mins said.

Tyler Hughes, a senior and starting linebacker at CMHS, said he
thinks the program will help student athletes understand the
disadvantages of drugs. Hughes said it is unreasonable for student
drivers to be tested, and opposes expansion of the program to include
middle schools as well.

"I think that could just entice some kids, it may make them learn
more than they need to know," he said.

Required drug testing of the entire student body is illegal according
to Cabell County Board of Education's Web site. Participating in
extracurricular activities and driving to school is considered a
privilege in which the U.S. Supreme Court and state courts uphold
compulsory testing for.

Alexander said he was concerned about implementing the program, but
believes that it will effectively prevent drug usage in the schools.
The program is estimated to cost $30,000 each year and will be funded
by grants and subsidy from the Cabell County Board of Education.
According to Alexander, the program does not impose on students'
rights to privacy.

"Looking at the total picture I think this will do more benefit than
harm," Alexander said.

The final orientation session for the program will be held Wednesday
at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at CMHS.