DRUG TESTING MEETING DRAWS A BIG CROWD

About 125 parents and students attended a meeting Tuesday at the Seneca
Valley Senior High School to learn more about the district's new drug
testing policy.

The district next week will begin testing students who participate in fall
sports or who drive to school for 10 drugs, including alcohol, marijuana
and opiates.

In addition to those drugs, students will be tested for chemicals used to
cover the presence of drugs or alcohol in their urine.

Some parents were skeptical, asking questions about confidentiality. Most,
however, voiced their support.

"I'm already hearing through the grapevine students are cleaning themselves
up," said Debbie Dilliplaine, of Cranberry. She thanked the school board
for enacting the policy, drawing applause from other parents.

The Seneca Valley School Board on July 17 unanimously approved the drug
testing policy for students who want to play sports or get a district
parking pass. The policy demands that students pay $26 for the initial drug
screening at the beginning of the sports season or school year. Students
then will be subject to random tests throughout the school year.