STUDENTS TALK ABOUT HAYDEN HIGH'S DRUG TESTING POLICY

Some say it is a problem. Some say it isn't. But students say they know
drugs are in their school.

Hayden High School students have mixed feelings about a new policy that
requires them to submit to random drug testing if they wish to leave campus
for lunch. But most are aware of drug use at their school.

The issue of drug use and the new policy will be formally addressed at a
public forum to be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Hayden High School
auditorium. Principal Nick Schafer and guidance counselor Danica Moss will
address concerns and answer questions regarding the issues.

Hayden High senior Melissa Bowden said the new drug-testing policy is a
good idea because she thinks drugs are a problem, especially among her
senior classmates.

"It's like it's their hobby," Bowden said. "It's too bad you can't get a
scholarship for smoking weed, because some kids would get full rides."

Bowden said she thinks the problem stems from boredom, es-pecially for
young-er students who don't have driver's licenses. She also said some have
"common sense not to come to school high," but several still smoke
marijuana in their free time.

Junior Hannah Williams agreed with Bowden, estimating at least half her
classmates have come to class high. She said it is not so much a problem
for those who smoke marijuana in their own time, but it is for those who
come to school high.

"I doesn't affect me," Williams said. "Like most of my friends, I don't
care. If you want me to pee in a cup to go home for lunch, that's fine."

Williams said she is glad the school is implementing drug testing and that
it will improve school climate.

Not all students are as pleased to see the policy put in place. Senior
Jordan Rolando said last week that he and several other seniors are so
against the policy that they will protest it the first day of school. He
said they would probably opt to stay on the closed campus, rather than
subjecting themselves to drug testing.

"How can this be a problem for this small school?" Rolando asked. "It can't
be that big of a problem. I don't know if they're trying to keep kids at
school to make money in the lunchroom or what. It's just not necessary."

Necessary or not, Hayden is far from alone in its decision to drug test
students.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court authorized schools to drug test students who
participate in athletics or school organizations in July 2002, several
schools have begun testing.

Steamboat Springs High School tests its students if there is suspicion of
drug use, Principal Dave Schmid said.