VISTA UNIFIED'S DRUG-TESTING PROGRAM CALLED A SUCCESS

VISTA ---- Vista Unified School District officials are lauding what
they describe as the success of a random drug-testing program begun
three weeks ago for high school students involved in extracurricular
activities.

No students have tested positive for any drugs so far, and the
program is running smoothly, Gayle Olson, director of student support
services, said Wednesday.

Some parents strongly opposed the testing after the district's board
of trustees approved it in February, school district officials said,
but there have been no complaints since the program started.

"After quite a lot of uproar, we began testing, and it has been
pretty smooth sailing," said Rancho Buena Vista High Principal
Richard Alderson.

District administrators have said that most students and parents
support the program. However, some parents said they think it
violates teens' right to privacy.

Royce Ramswick, a parent who in February attempted to organize
opposition to the testing, said he plans to continue trying to fight
the program.

"I haven't forgotten about it," he said. "I kind of just let it go
for now."

Some parents said they were concerned that students would stay out of
extracurricular activities to avoid being tested, but that hasn't
happened, said Pat Moramarco, athletic director at Vista High School.
In fact, enrollment in extracurricular activities has increased
slightly this year at the school, he said.

Extracurricular activities generally take place before or after
school, and co-curricular activities are held during school hours.

The testing was initially expected to begin in early March, but the
district decided to wait until mid-April to clarify which student
groups would be included in the testing pool. About 2,400 students
have been included. That number could increase if parents of
students not involved in extracurricular activities choose to place
their teenagers in the program.

So far, the students tested have been very cooperative, Alderson
said. Each week, between eight and 15 students at each school are
expected to be tested for alcohol, marijuana, opiates, cocaine,
methamphetamine, steroids and PCP.

Students will not be punished until at least their second positive
test result in one year, district officials have said.

The testing is paid for by a $211,000 federal grant, which the
district has secured for at least the next two years.

The schools are preparing information packets about the testing to
send home to parents of next year's incoming freshmen.

Moramarco said he doesn't expect any significant changes next
year.

"I don't see why we'd change it," he said. "It's gone very smoothly."