Hart to Use Drug Testing on Extracurricular Students

Random drug testing, drug-sniffing dogs and old-fashioned 'narcs'
were some of the suggestions mentioned Wednesday night at the William
S. Hart Union School District meeting.

"We have a problem," said school board member Dennis
King.

"It's not just one student taking drugs, we have more than that.
Let's get started, let's do the documentation needed.

"Personally, I'd like to see a mandatory (random drug testing)
policy.

It's not about catching kids, it's about finding a
deterrent."

After a member of the board's legal counsel outlined what the
ramifications of random drug testing were, King suggested a return to
'narcs' or students reporting on other students taking drugs.

High school students in the Hart district who take part in
extracurricular activities such as sports would undergo random drug
testing if the board endorses it.

Legal counsel reminded the board that random drug testing would only
apply to students involved in extracurricular activities, from
football to choir, but that the board defines what those activities
are.

"Remember when we used to have 'narcs'?" King asked. "Let's get some
of those."

There were no dissenting voices from the board suggesting that the
random drug tests shouldn't be done.

For King, the earlier the better.

"Do we have to have an elaborate study?" he asked.

The board's legal counsel representative said an elaborate study was
not required but recommended the board identify the problem.

"We feel there is a drug problem with our youth in this valley," said
board president Patrlicia Hanrion.

"We have to look at a lot of ideas on how to protect our kids.
Sometimes, that's what it takes is a stick over the head."

The board was advised by legal counsel that they must also look at
the penalty for students who test positive for drugs.

King suggested that penalties should vary according to the
drugs.

Any random drug testing policy would not involve law enforcement, the
board was told.

One woman listening to the presentation by legal counsel suggested
the board test athletes for drugs during their standard physical
examination.

Hanrion summed up the board's discussion citing four
developments:

"We'd like to have administrators investigating the types of drug
abuse, getting input from a variety of sources such as coaches.

We want to form a committee to review (drug testing) companies. We
want to review the policy and procedures of other districts which
have implemented random drug testing and also create a volunteer
group made up of people in the know."

District Superintendent Jaime Castellanos said the day before the
meeting - something echoed by board members Wednesday - that random
drug testing gives high school athletes a way out.

"If a student feels pressured they can just say 'I'm going to be
tested.' It gives them an opportunity to say 'no.'"