SCHOOLS: FEW STUDENTS TESTING POSITIVE FOR DRUGS

Local school districts that have adopted student drug-testing
policies have reported few positive tests and increased participation
in sports and activities.

Camden County Schools adopted a policy for grades 7-12 at the
beginning of the 2006-07 school year. Superintendent Ron Melchiorre
said 432 students fell under the policy during its first year. He
said about one-third -- 140 students -- were tested and five positive
tests were reported. "We feel very good about the policy," Melchiorre
said. "We've had a good buy-in from parents and it was
student-initated." According to Melchiorre, Camden reported seven
instances of a student possessing a controlled substance during the
2005-06 school year, but zero since drug testing began. He also said
the policy has not had a detrimental effect on participation in
sports and other voluntary activities, as 465 students are
participating this school year.

Melchiorre said the Camden Board of Education will review the policy
again at the end of the school year.

In Currituck County, testing has been conducted three times so far
this year. A total of 54 students in grades 9-12 have been tested, 18
each time. Sandy Kinzel, spokeswoman for Currituck County Schools,
said that no positive tests have been reported, meaning that no
student has failed the drug test twice.

The prospect of being screened for illegal substances has not caused
Currituck students to steer clear of sports. Rodney Kight, Currituck
athletic director, said more students are participating than ever
before. "So far, it's gone real well," he said. "I've heard nothing
but positive comments. The thing I told the parents isthat (drug
screening is) more preventative than punitive. It gives kids a chance
to make good decisions." Perquimans County Schools has had a drug
testing policy for athletes in grades 7-12 for about a decade. The
policy calls for athletes to be tested prior to the start of the
season, then screened at random throughout the school year.

Brenda Lassiter, public information officer for the Perquimans
district, said 120 students are currently on football, soccer, cheer
leading or volleyball teams. She said a total of 200-225 student
athletes each year fall under the drug screening requirements.

All three districts utilize a policy that doesn't call for a school
to be notified after a first positive test.

Neither the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools or the
Edenton-Chowan Schools have adopted student drug-testing policies.

Tony Stewart, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank superintendent, said school
attorneys are looking at the wording of a potential policy and a
draft could be presented at Monday's Board of Education meeting.
Allan Smith, Edenton-Chowan superintendent, said the Edenton-Chowan
school board has yet to formally discuss student drug testing.