DRUG TESTING AT MHS?

Board sets vote on policy to test athletes and coaches at high school
level

Nathan Hall Following a one-hour closed session, the Mitchell County
School Board took its first look at a drug testing policy for school
athletes.

Mitchell High Principal Jack Brooks developed the policy, which he
said has been used in several Western North Carolina Schools.

Under the policy, athletes would be tested at the start of the season,
with some team members selected for testing at random times during the
season.

Coaches, both volunteer and paid, must also be tested.

Testing would cost the school between $6,000 and $10,000 per year,
near the maximum if all team members are tested initially.

Brooks said he would look to the school board and community for
money.

Counseling plays a big part in the policy.

An athlete and his or her parents/guardian is notified if a test comes
back positive. Then the athlete is removed from the team for the
remainder of the year.

If the athlete wants to play the following season, or play another
sport during the year, then they must agree to a three week counseling
session. Then the athlete must test negative for drugs.

Parents/guardians are liable for the cost of counseling.

Athletes have the option of self-referral, meaning he or she can come
forward to admit a drug problem prior to being selected for testing.
The athlete is subject to penalties set by the policy, but may remain
on the team for self-referral.

Interested people may get a copy of the policy from the high school,
and Superintendent Dr. Bill Sears said it will eventually be on the
schools systems website at central. mitchell.k12.nc.us

The school board voted on the policy at the Tuesday, Nov. 23 meeting
at the central office. Results of the vote were not available at press
time.