BRAWLEY PASSES FINAL PART OF DRUG-TESTING POLICY FOR FALL

BRAWLEY - Despite conflicting legislation that would ban random drug
testing in public schools, the Brawley Union High School District board
unanimously approved the final portion of a drug-testing policy to be
implemented this fall.

The board made the decision at its May 26 meeting, just a few weeks after
the state Senate approved SB 1386, a bill that bans such testing.

The board approved the first reading of the testing program - which
included the policy, administrative regulations and parent-student
communication - May 12.

The state Senate bill, which passed by a 26-10 vote May 18, is awaiting
approval in the Assembly.

Since the bill was a bipartisan success, opponents of drug testing such as
Glenn Backes, spokesman for the Drug Policy Alliance, are optimistic it
will pass the Assembly and be signed into law by the governor.

BUHSD board President Tom DuBose said the board had discussed the potential
ban.

"We basically just decided that we're going to go forward," said DuBose.

At the district's last meeting, Superintendent Garth Isom said the board
would decide the amount and type of drugs to include in the tests, but
DuBose said that decision won't be made until the June 9 meeting.

"We've left it — at this point — at a broad range of what we'll test for,"
said DuBose. "Right now we are looking at making a decision at who will do
the testing."

The district has been working primarily with Imperial-based Cal-Test Inc.
but has yet to sign a contract with a specific company, he said.

What type of drugs to test for has become an issue because of increased
publicity surrounding high school steroid use.

Trustee Bud Smith said he had received calls from locals concerned that
testing for performance enhancers will not be included in the policy.

In response, the board asked the district athletic department to present a
report detailing the steroid problem, or lack thereof, at Brawley Union
High School.

"The athletic department coaches didn't feel that it was an issue," said
DuBose.

Board members were concerned that testing for nutritional supplements would
make the district more vulnerable to lawsuits since some enhancing
properties within the supplements are legal. DuBose said the board is
"probably leaning away from dealing with steroids at this time."

Testing for performance enhancers is an added and expensive cost.

If legislation proposed by Sen. Jackie Speier, D-San Francisco, passes, the
district won't have to worry. Speier's bill would require and pay for
mandatory testing of high school athletes specifically to detect those
using performance enhancers and fund education for coaches and athletes on
the dangers of steroid use.

The fact there are two conflicting bills awaiting passage in Sacramento
means the district's policy will either be amped up, depleted or if both
bills fail, remain as is.