WABASH SCHOOLS APPROVE NEW DRUG TESTING PROGRAM

WABASH, Ind.- Random drug tests have been reinstated at Wabash High School
and Wabash Middle School for students who drive to school or take part in
extracurricular activities.

The testing had been suspended for several years until the Indiana Supreme
Court in March approved tighter guidelines.

The Wabash policy, approved unanimously at Monday night's school board
meeting, will begin this fall.

Any student testing positive will be suspended from participation and must
undergo counseling and a retest for drugs before returning to the
extracurricular activity. There will be no academic or legal sanctions.

One change in the new policy involves students in band and choir, which are
both extracurricular and for school credit. Students may take these classes
for credit, but they cannot participate in the extracurricular activities _
such as field trips and performances _ without consenting to be in the
random drug testing pool.

The Supreme Court in March ruled that random drug testing for athletes,
cheerleaders and students who participate in extracurricular activities,
along with student drivers, is constitutional.

Information from: Wabash Plain Dealer