MACOMB SCHOOLS TESTING STUDENTS FOR DRUGS

MACOMB -- Following Tecumseh's example and taking advantage of more
favorable budget conditions, Macomb School District this week started
testing students involved in extracurricular activities for drugs,
Superintendent Gracy Taylor said. "It's been something we've talked about
for the last couple of years because of the growing (drug) problem in the
area and the potential for it to affect our children," Taylor said Thursday.

"With the budget cuts, we were hesitant to start anything that was going to
cost money. But this year the money has been fairly steady and we felt it
was time to get it done," Taylor said.

Macomb is testing about 100 students involved in extracurricular activities
from the seventh to 12th grades. Ten percent of them then will be chosen at
random for testing each month.

Taylor said Macomb modeled its policy after Tecumseh's program, which went
to the U.S. Supreme Court for protection in 2002.

Taylor said a student who tests positive will receive counseling, which the
school provides for a 14-day period, then will be tested again. A second
positive test will mean a suspension for two weeks to a month, and the
student and parents will be responsible for the counseling. A third
positive test will mean a longer suspension.