STUDENTS MAY FACE DRUG TESTS

As soon as early next year, Dublin middle school and high school
students in extracurricular activities could be asked by school
officials whether they do drugs -- and to prove they don't.

Dublin Unified School District trustees moved forward last week on
implementing two drug testing programs. The testing programs -- one
voluntary and the other mandatory and random -- have been strongly
pushed by board member Kevin Hart, a lieutenant with the Alameda
County Sheriff's Department.

``It's an issue in Dublin we cannot overlook,'' Hart
said.

While drug use in the district isn't rampant, Hart said school
officials would be remiss in thinking drugs don't exist on their campuses.

``Our goal here is prevention,'' he said.

The district staff is drafting a proposal the board will consider in
October.

The first of the two programs implemented would be a voluntary drug
test. Jim Freeland, Dublin High's dean of students, said the program,
implemented by several schools around the nation, involves putting a
positive spin on encouraging students to come forward to complete drug
tests.

Students who pass the test will be given a star to put on their
uniforms or school jackets and will be recognized at rallies. The
program might also include local business support, such as free
lunches and other prizes, for students participating in the program.
Freeland estimates the program could cost up to $19,000 a year, which
mostly will pay for the equipment needed to complete the urinalysis
tests.

The board also hopes to implement a second program, in which students
would be randomly selected for drug testing. In June, the U.S. Supreme
Court gave the green light to administer drug tests to students
participating in extracurricular programs. As many as half of
America's estimated 14 million high school students participate in
extracurricular activities such as chess club, cheerleading and
after-school sports.

Students who test positive for drugs in either program would not face
academic suspension. The district is likely to adopt a policy that
will require students to participate in a drug education program.

If the student tests positive in a follow-up test, the student would
be suspended from the extracurricular activity. That information also
would be confidential and wouldn't appear on their
transcripts.

``It will identify the students who will need help,'' school board
president Denis King said. Board members hope enough students will
come forward for the voluntary program so that random tests won't be
necessary.

``If we are going to do it, we need to do it right,'' said
Superintendent John Sugiyama, adding the district will look into
obtaining grants so the program can be fully supported.