AFTER COURT DECISION, UNIT 40 WILL PURSUE DRUG TESTING POLICY

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision expanding drug testing in schools will
have the Unit 40 Board of Education considering a similar policy.

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled school officials can give random
drug tests to any students who participate in extracurricular activities,
and not just student athletes as previously allowed.

While Unit 40 currently does not conduct drug tests, Superintendent Dr. Don
Roberts said, the board will certainly be considering in the near future
implementing a drug testing policy.

Over the last five years, the issue has been brought up a few times at
school board meetings, but the board has been waiting for the Supreme Court
decision before deciding the issue themselves.

Roberts predicts a lot of school districts will now be taking a look at the
issue since the decision, which he believes is a good one.

"It gives schools another tool to fight against students bringing drugs into
schools," he said. "If it will deter students from using drugs, it's
worthwhile."

However, Roberts believes such a policy probably won't stop drug use in
schools.

"It's a social issue, not a school issue," he said.

The district is currently putting together a countywide task force to combat
the growing problem of drug use in Effingham County schools. A problem that
Roberts said is not limited to this area.

"It's obvious that all schools have a problem with drug use," he said,
emphasizing the problem goes beyond schools.

"It's also a community problem and we need to do everything we can to stop
it."