PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS STUDENT DRUG TESTING

A public meeting intended to inform parents of the new random drug and
alcohol policy was held Monday night in the St. Clair High School cafeteria.

Although many questions were asked, there was no opposition to the new
policy.

"I hope that this meeting took away some of the fear," said Brad
Ellis, St. Clair High School principal.

The policy extends to all sixth-through-12th grade students who
participate in extracurricular activities in the upcoming school year
within the St. Clair School District.

Parents and students also were required to sign a release form
allowing the district to test the student for drug use.

"I'm not aware of anyone who said 'We're refusing to sign.' " Ellis
told The Missourian.

Chris Ferguson, school activities director, led the meeting, which
included a Power Point presentation, to the large audience gathered.

Many questions and concerns were aired during the question and answer
portion of the presentation. However, the majority of the questions
were asked by the same three people.

The main issue raised was that only students involved in athletics,
clubs, band and other activities are targeted by the testing.

"The Supreme Court ruling is that it is illegal to test everybody,"
Ferguson replied. He explained that by law only athletes and those
involved in extracurricular/co-curricular activities can be tested for
drugs.

Another question involved the potential of false positives due to
prescription and over-the-counter-medication. Ferguson said that the
test looks for specific enzymes contained within illegal drugs and
that false-positives are rare.

"We don't want to accuse the innocent," he stated.

When asked, most parents supported the new drug testing policy.

"I don't have a problem with it. They (the students) are representing
our school. They better be straight," said Charlotte Pridemore.

"Clean people are fine with this. The only reason people have an issue
with it is because they have something to hide. Sports are important
to these kids, so it should be a deterrent," said James Lashley.

One father, Michael Bruckley, expressed fear that the policy would be
unfair for students whose parents have split custody of them, because
one of the parents may use illegal substances in the household.

"I just hope we don't use this (policy) as a way to separate kids into
two classes (those with parents who use drugs and those whose parents
do not)," he said.

Students had mixed reactions.

"I just don't think it's right to test students. They (school
officials) should mind their own business," said Seth Robinette, a
football player.

Todd Stolte, an athlete who plays football, basketball and baseball,
agreed:

"We shouldn't be discriminated against because we are athletes."

"I don't mind it. I have nothing to hide," said basketball and soccer
player Samantha Fleschert.