DRUG CODE TO REMAIN SPORTS-ONLY

A committee developing a voluntary drug-testing program for Jackson
Public Schools had hoped to extend the athletic code of conduct on
drug and alcohol use to any student who participates in high school
extracurricular activities.

But the district plans to propose keeping that code to athletics for
now, said Ben Pack, assistant superintendent for human resources and
secondary curriculum.

A board policy on the new voluntary drug testing program for Jackson
students will be considered Monday by the school board.

Pack said Friday it was difficult to define what constitutes an
extracurricular because some groups don't have regular meetings or seasons.

The district could consider extending the policy in the future, he said.

The school board voted in April to make testing voluntary for all
students instead of mandated for athletics, vocal music and band.

The handbook states that student-athletes who use, sell or possess
alcohol, tobacco, steroids and other controlled substances lose
eligibility for a third of a season on the first violation.

But the committee will recommend that students who volunteer to be
tested be given a ``step zero.'' The first time they test positive,
they would not be punished and would be asked to attend counseling.

``We didn't want it to be punitive if you're volunteering to be
tested,'' Pack said.

A second positive would be punishable by suspension for a third of
the season. A third positive test would force a student to miss one
calendar year, and a fourth would ban a student from any extracurriculars.

The urine test would look for prescription and street drugs, such as
marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines, but not
performance-enhancing substances.