SCHOOLS TRY NEW, QUICKIE DRUG TEST

Students in Palm Beach County suspected of using drugs are now subject to
new drug testing that's done with a swab and an aerosol spray.

Administrators at all 23 county high schools are being trained to use the
test whenever they have a "reasonable suspicion" that a student is using
illegal drugs, said schools Police Chief Jim Kelly.

The school district is one of 22 across the country, and the only one in
Florida, taking part in a free trial program that puts the drug detection
kits in schools. It's supported by a $650,000 grant from the federal
government's National Institute of Justice, Kelly said.

To use the kits, administrators swab a small piece of chemically treated
paper over students' hands or belongings and douse it with a spray.

Within seconds, the paper changes colors to indicate the possible presence
of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines.

District and school officials said they won't use the kits for any other
reason than to alert parents to potential drug problems with their children.

A positive result won't instigate a search, Kelly said.

All Boca Raton high schools and Atlantic High School in Delray Beach have
the kits, and they're on their way to every district high school by the end
of the year. But the ACLU says the test is indiscriminate and violates
students' privacy.

"You really can't tell by looking at a student if he or she is on drugs,"
said local chairwoman Ruth Gottlieb. "It's a judgment call."