DRUG-TESTING PROPOSAL BEING WEIGHED

Would Apply To Many Students In James City County, Williamsburg

WILLIAMSBURG -- The Williamsburg-James City County School Board has
scheduled a vote tonight on a controversial proposal to require
random drug and alcohol tests for many students.

Under the measure, all high school students who take part in
competitive extracurricular activities or drive a car to school
would be subject to the random urine tests.

The testing system was first proposed by Superintendent Gary S.
Mathews and later modified following a public hearing and School
Board work session.

Mathews said in an interview that the high incidence of expulsion
for drug and alcohol violations in the past six months -- 33
expulsions from a high school population of about 3,000 -- has
convinced him the testing is necessary.

"We have a brewing problem here," said Mathews, who started his job
in July. "The problem here is greater than what I saw elsewhere."

The proposal has generated hot debate locally, with supporters and
opponents making both reasoned and emotional arguments in two public
hearings, letters to the editors of local newspapers and even in
paid advertisements.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, while granting that
the proposal seems to pass muster under recent Supreme Court
decisions, says the testing program is an unnecessary infringement
on students' privacy.

"This is the government, in the form of the schools, invading the
privacy of students," said Kent Willis, executive director of the
state ACLU chapter.

Random drug testing is employed by only six school systems in
Virginia, according to Mathews, and none extends the test
requirement beyond students involved in extracurricular activities.

"We have a compelling interest that kids drive to school without
being under the influence," Mathews said.

Critics of the proposal have argued that research has not shown that
drug testing has any deterrent effect on student drug use, but they
also acknowledge there hasn't been enough research to settle the question.

Mathews said he has interviewed students in Lynchburg, where the
high schools have tested athletes for drugs for 18 years, and has
concluded the tests deter students from drug use.

Under the proposal, a student who tests positive for drug or alcohol
use would face a two-week suspension from extracurricular activity
and attend at least five sessions with a school counselor.

A second positive test would bring the same consequences plus a
requirement to complete an out-of-school substance abuse program.
Third-timers would be suspended from extracurricular activities and
driving to school for a year.

School officials say the program, if adopted, would cost $6,000 to
$12,000 per year and be financed with federal Safe and Drug Free
Schools grant money.