STUDENT ATHLETES TO LEARN DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE

PINEVILLE - In December, the Wyoming County Board of Education approved the
Interscholastic Athletes Substance Misuse Prevention policy requiring all
student athletes in grades six to 12 to participate in random drug testing
and attend one training session concerning the policy.

The sessions are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 22 at Wyoming County East
High School for East athletes and those attending all East feeder schools
and 6:30 p.m. March 24 at Westside High for Westside athletes and those
attending Westside feeder schools. The training sessions are for student
athletes as well as parents and/or legal guardians.

Any student athlete, along with one parent or guardian, that does not
participate in one of these two training sessions will not be eligible to
play or participate in any sport next year, or this year in high school
baseball, softball, or tennis, according to Jeff Hylton, Wyoming County
Schools safety director.

Based on the policy, student athletes will be tested randomly for drug and
alcohol use by an independent company.

Students and their parents will sign a verification and consent form during
the meeting. Additionally, representatives of the testing company will be
available to answer questions.

Hylton emphasized that students and at least one of their parents must
attend one of the training sessions to be eligible to play sports next year.