DRUG TESTS SUGGESTED FOR YUKON STUDENTS

YUKON -- Students in the Yukon School District who participate in any
extracurricular activity soon may have to submit to mandatory drug testing.
School officials met Thursday with parents, city leaders, religious leaders,
students and police to discuss ways to curb teenage drug abuse in the
community. County and state officials also attended the meeting.

The meeting was called after the drug-related death of Shaun Acklin, 15, and
the hospitalization of Ethan Marburger, 18, for a drug overdose. Both
incidents occurred within the past week.

School officials said mandatory drug testing of students involved in
school-sponsored activities would affect about 60 percent of the student
body.

"We have to do something that has some teeth," school board member John Nail
said.

Nail said parents would get more involved if "their kid can't play ball"
because of drug use.

Assistant Superintendent Kent Mathers said 56 students were suspended this
past school year for drug and alcohol incidents. Of that number, 15 received
long-term suspensions.

Police also are encouraging students to use an anonymous hot line to report
peers involved with drugs and alcohol.

"You're not much of a friend when you're going to their funeral," officer
Pete Davola said. "You're more of a friend if you do report it."

City officials agreed to have drug-detecting dogs visit school campuses more
often. School officials also are examining resources and services available
in the community to help educate residents about drug use.

Officials told parents who suspect their children of using drugs that they
can submit to free drug testing at the Gary E. Miller Children's Justice
Center, 7905 E Highway 66, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday.

Community leaders are expected to meet again next month to discuss possible
solutions to drug use in the community.