2 STUDENTS TEST POSITIVE FOR DRUGS IN YUKON

YUKON -- Two students have tested positive for illegal drugs, one for
marijuana and another for amphetamines, since a new drug policy
started last month, school officials said Wednesday. Superintendent
Bill Spaeth said about 105 seventh-through 12th-graders have
submitted to urinalysis since December, when the tests began.

Two additional students tested positive in December, but in each case
a doctor was able to verify the students were taking prescription
drugs that would have forced a positive result.

When the policy was developed, several parents complained that only
the students who participate in after-school activities would be tested.

Parent Lisa Gary told school board members in September that the
students who frequently abused drugs were not those who were active
participants in school activities. Ten percent of activities students
are randomly tested each month.

The district opted to test only this group of students because a U.S.
Supreme Court ruling allowed it.

Administrators said the program has been a "learning
process."

Since implementing a stricter drug policy this year, 51 students have
been suspended for possessing illegal drugs or alcohol. Eight of those
students are serving long-term suspensions.