FEW STUDENTS FAIL DRUG TEST

Only one of every 32 students screened for drugs has tested positive during
the three years the Caldwell County system has had the policy in place.

"We see it as a positive step to reinforce what we are already doing to
ensure the safety of our students," said Libby Brown, School Public
Information Director. "Of those testing positive, it is primarily for
marijuana."

Since student drug screening was implemented, 21 students have tested
positive for drugs. Out of the 21 positives, 15 have been for marijuana,
four have been for prescription drugs and two students refused to take the
test, which counts as a positive.

If a student tests positive for prescription drugs, the school checks with
the student's doctor to see whether the medication was prescribed. Only one
student out of the four did not have a prescription for the medication.

In the school system 665 students have been tested in the program since
2001.

Students have varying views on the program.

"I think that if you're not doing drugs, then why should you care," Hibriten
student Sierra Moore said. "Some of my friends think that it's an invasion
of their privacy, but I don't have a problem with it."

Another student agreed with Moore.

"It doesn't matter to most of the people that don't do anything (drugs),"
West Caldwell student Jarvis Logan said.

There are two companies that are contracted to perform the tests. One
company administers the test at the schools and another company does the lab
work on the tests.

Occutest administers the test for the school system. The cost of
administering the test is $14 per student. Laboratory Corp. of America does
the lab work at a cost of $21.75 per person. So the test costs $35.75 per
student, according to the school system.

The total cost for testing all 665 students since 2001 has been $23,773.75.
The testing program is funded federally using money from the Safe and Drug
Free Schools fund.

The policy was passed by the school board on June 12, 2000, and then two
separate committees were formed to implement and develop guidelines for the
program.

According to policy 3310 item B that deals with the random screening of
student-athletes and drivers, "To be eligible to participate in
athletic/cheerleading extra-curricular activities, or to operate or park a
motor vehicle on campus, the student and his/her parents or guardian must
agree in writing on a form adopted by the superintendent, to submit to
random alcohol and drug testing."

Also according to the policy, students are tested for the presence of
marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and any other drugs the superintendent
deems appropriate.

If a student refuses to take the test or tests positive for alcohol or
drugs, the student will be ineligible to participate in
athletic/cheerleading extra-curricular activities or operate or park a motor
vehicle on campus for 365 calendar days.

Picking which students to test involves a database that lists all the
eligible students for testing. Each eligible student's name is listed only
once in the database and each name remains in the database even if he has
already been chosen. No more than 10 percent of the high school population
is tested.

Students are in the database only for as long as they are involved in an
athletic activity or if they have a vehicle registered on school property. A
student participating only in a fall sport can not be tested in the spring,
solely on the basis of being an athlete. If the student is a driver, though,
testing is available all school year.

The superintendent randomly selects days to engage in the testing. Once the
day is scheduled, then the computer randomly selects students' names for
testing.

The high school principals are notified the afternoon before the testing,
but the names of the students to be tested are not released to the high
schools until the day of the testing.

All high schools are tested at the same time, on the same day. The
principals send a note to each student selected to meet in an assigned area
for the test. Most of the testing is done in locker rooms or in faculty
bathrooms, according to the school system.

The test results are usually returned within three to five days to the
school and then the students will be notified in writing of their results,
positive or negative. If positive, the school system will attempt to set up
a conference with the parents of the student, within one day of parental
notification, to discuss treatment programs and the student's ineligibility
in athletic programs and vehicle registration.

The school system has approved approximately 15 different drug and alcohol
abuse programs in the area. Each approved program has certified substance
abuse counselors.