W'BORO SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES DRUG POLICY

Whitesboro - Nancy Gentry clapped Monday night after the passage of
Whitesboro's new drug policy.

Gentry, along with 50 other parents, attended a Whitesboro School
Board meeting in January to ask the board to take a more aggressive
stance on drugs in the district.

After workshops, public meetings and advice from parents, the board
approved the new policy Monday.

"I am very pleased that it was done with quickness and ease," Gentry
said. "Sometimes you think it will take longer."

The request for a stronger policy came when a group of concerned
parents met after learning of a Whitesboro High School student with a
drug problem. The group stated that it would not let up until the
policy was dealt with and enforced.

"They (the board) took the interest of the parents and the welfare of
the kids to heart," Gentry said. "It was very impressive for me. The
kids welfare will be well watched and the problem will lesson and
lesson with each year when they (students) realize the district is
serious."

Within weeks of the first meeting, the high school had been equipped
with security cameras and the Board was well on its way toward the new
policy.

The new policy states that each activity student (student who is a
member or any middle or high school district sponsored
extra-curricular organization) or student driver will receive a copy
of the drug testing consent form and it must be returned before the
activity begins. Students will be requested to perform the test at
physicals, when randomly selected or in the case of reasonable suspicion.

According to the policy, the purpose is to:

educate students of the serious physical, mental and emotional harm
caused by illegal drug use;

alert students with possible substance abuse problems to the potential
harms that drug use poses for their physical, mental and emotional
well being and offer them the privilege of competition as an incentive
to stop using such substances;

ensure that students adhere to a training program that bars the intake
of illegal drugs;

prevent injury, illness and harm for students that may arise as a
result from illegal drug use;

offer students practices, competition and school activities free of
the effects of illegal drug use.

The policy doesn't only punish students for being caught with drugs in
their system but also offers counseling for students and families.

School board policies are available online at www.whitesboroisd.org.