SAN MARCOS AD PUSHES FOR STUDENT DRUG TESTING

San Marcos High School Athletic Director Bruce Bush wants to "lead the
parade" when it comes to drug testing students who participate in
extracurricular activities.

Bush proposed the mandatory drug testing policy to school board members
Monday night. The board agreed to form a committee of parents and teachers
to study the policies of other districts and determine how to implement the
program.

"I'm very supportive of this," said Board Pres-ident Barrie Breed. "I
realize that we might be stepping out into the forefront on this but it's
good for the kids and I think it will have a positive impact."

Breed said that anything the district can do to address drug use should be
done.

"I'm proud that our district is not burying its head in the sand," she
said. "And as a parent I'm excited about this."

Bush said he's spoken to coaches at other schools in the region and they've
told him they are experiencing problems with student drug use. The most
common drug problem is with marijuana, he said.

"This is something that's coming right around the corner," said Bush.
"Other schools are starting to do drug testing and I feel if there's a
parade going by we'll be the ones leading it."

San Marcos has had its share of problems recently, said Bush.

"We had two students who were caught with marijuana," he said. Under the
district's zero tolerance policy those students have been banned from
sports for a year. "I think there will be a cloud over our program if we
don't show that we're doing what's right. The schools that don't have
problems are the ones that are doing the testing."

Bastrop ISD implemented random drug testing for student athletes in 1997.
Since then other district organizations have asked to participate in the
program as well. Hays CISD does not require drug testing.

"Extracurricular activities are not a right," said Bush. "It's something
you choose. And the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 vote that random drug
tests at public schools does not violate a student's privacy."

Bush says he hopes the testing will deter students from getting involved in
drug use at an earlier age. He's proposing the testing begin in seventh grade.

"Our athletic programs begin at seventh grade and I think it'll give kids a
reason to say no to drugs because they know they'll have to take the drug
test to be in football or basketball or to be a cheerleader," he said.
"Peer pressure has become very strong and this will give students some kind
of deterrent to that pressure."

Bush is not only targeting athletes with the drug testing. He says he wants
all students in extra-curricular activities tested. He wants to see the
major competitors take an initial test along with the required physical.
Other students who participate in University Interscholastic League
activities such as one act play, math and Future Farmers of America would
be subject to random tests throughout the year. Bush envisions about 150
students being randomly tested every two months.

"We are completely in the planning stages of this right now," Bush said.
"But my vision is to have the testing start when school begins in August."

Bush said the committee will meet with parent groups and booster clubs to
form an outline for the program.

"And of course the final say will have to come from the school board," he said.