AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS MAY DRUG TEST

Auburn City Schools might be implementing drug testing for students in
seventh through 12th grades in the near future. The school board has
formed a committee to decide the issue. The committee features
students, teachers, parents, administrators and people in the
community who are not directly associated with the school system.

"Drug testing is designed to help students make a choice to stay drug
and alcohol free," said Dr. Anne Penney, the school board president.

The drug testing, if passed, will be only for students who want to
participate in extracurricular activities. Students will also have to
be drug tested if they want a school parking pass. It will be done on
a volunteer basis, and the results will remain confidential.

Some nearby school systems, like Vestavia and Mountain Brook have
already begun drug testing.

"I think it's a great move to keep up with other excellent school
systems," said Dr. Penney.

Cheryl Ross, an eighth grade teacher at Auburn Junior High School was
more skeptical on the issue.

Ross said drug testing would be a deterrent but that having it done on
a volunteer basis will not be very effective. She said random drug
testing might be a better approach.

Luke Hein, 10th grader at Auburn High School said there is no big drug
problem at the high school that he knows about.

"Drug testing may end up doing the opposite of what they hope it will
do," Luke said. Some people may quit sports and other extracurricular
activities. Other people may try to find ways around drug testing.