DRUG TESTING PLAN GETS MIXED REVIEW

Some Parents, Athletes In Carthage Say Proposed Policy Comes Up Short

CARTHAGE, Mo. -- If the goal is to curb drug use among students, a proposal
under review in Carthage stops short, say some athletes and parents.

Proponents say the policy being proposed is limited by what court rulings
have allowed.

And a decision expected from the U.S. Supreme Court in the coming months
may address some of the concerns raised by both sides.

"I think the policy itself is good, but I think it should be for anyone
involved in any competitive extracurricular activity, not just athletes,"
said Rusty Hartman, who will graduate Tuesday a co-valedictorian of the CHS
class of 2002.

"I know athletes are supposed to be the leaders, so I guess it's a good
thing to be watching them. But you need to be watching everyone else, too,"
said Hartman, who participates in track and cross country.

"I know there's a drug problem in all schools," said Al Hartman, Rusty's
father, who is retired after 31 years as an educator. "I don't have a
problem with the testing, but it shouldn't be just on athletes. There
shouldn't be any problem with testing anyone, if it's purely random."

That is the most prevalent response being raised about a policy that would
institute random drug testing for students in extra-curricular activities
such as athletics and cheerleading, said Debbie Baugh, a school board
member who served on the committee that recommended the policy.

"It's one step, but we can only do what the courts allow," she said.

Baugh said she would like to see the proposed testing applied to more
students, if it is allowed by the courts.

That door may be opened through a case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in
March.

A 1995 decision by the high court upheld a policy by an Oregon high school
that required its high school athletes to submit to a drug testing program.

A decision is expected in late June or early July on an appeal of a case
that started in Tecumseh, Okla., where a high school choir member objected
to mandatory drug testing required by the school for all participants in
extra curricular activities such as athletics, band, choir and FFA.

Arguments in support of the school's position have been filed by the U.S.
Department of Justice.

If the high court expands the scope of testing, a Carthage program could
follow suit, said Baugh, who has two daughters in the high school.

The program currently under review would authorize random testing of school
athletes in grades seven through 12 who are involved in interscholastic sports.

Baugh favors the testing as a way "for the schools to be proactive, rather
than always reacting to problems.

"It's needed," she said. "I've spent a lot of time talking to kids at games
and other events, and they'll tell you what's going on."

"I think they need to cast a bigger net," said Bob Brown, the father of two
high school athletes and a long-time booster of Carthage sports. "I'd like
to see random testing that covers all students. I don't want drugs in
schools, but is it right to test this small group and leave everyone else
out there?"

Brown said he liked an idea brought up by board member Miriam Putnam during
a forum on the proposal. She suggested the policy be expanded by allowing
parents of students other than athletes to sign their children up for the
random tests.

He said his son, Josh, an athlete in football and wrestling, believes drugs
are an issue, "but not a problem that has gotten out of hand.

"He thinks the tests should apply to everyone, or no one," Brown said.

He also questions if the tests will include alcohol, adding "that's going
to be the first choice of most of the kids, because it's easier for them to
get."

Baugh said she doubts alcohol can be included because it leaves the system
too quickly.

"But that's something we're exploring," she said. "What we're talking about
here are steps we can take to make our kids safe. That has to be our
ultimate concern."

She said the proposal will be discussed by the board at its May 20 meeting.

Action on the measure is not scheduled for the session, she said.

"I'd like us to have something in place by this fall," Baugh said.

Officials with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education make no recommendations to boards considering drug testing,
according to Jim Morris, department spokesman.

"We don't monitor it," he said. "Our general advice to boards considering
it is that they consult with their own attorneys and be cautious."

DESE does not track the number of districts that have testing, Morris said,
adding that he knew of "a handful" that did so.

Jeff Miller, owner of Seglin, Inc., Columbia, said his firm does testing
for 13 districts and said he is aware of at least 10 other districts that
conduct testing.

He agreed with Baugh that alcohol is not a practical part of the testing
regimen.

"It's a waste of money because it's out of the system in a matter of hours.
But for schools, we do test. We'll provide mouth swabs that can be used to
test for drinking at events like proms," Miller said.

The Carthage policy, as currently drafted, applies to students in
interscholastic athletics, including sports, cheerleading and dance team
activities. That is the group that court rulings currently allow to be
tested, said Superintendent Gary Reed.

"Athletes are not more of a problem; they're a cross-section of the student
body," said Phil Lewis, high school principal.

School officials have been discussing drug testing for several years, as
other school districts started programs. Debate was heightened by several
events, he said, including the "Cocaine Cowboy" drug sweep in Carthage
several months ago.

A committee formed to review school citizenship policies raised the issue,
and met with officials in Carl Junction, where there has been a drug
testing program for athletes for the past three years.

"We think it's been very effective," said Mike Larson, athletic director in
Carl Junction.

"We've had a lot of feedback from students who said they have noticed kids
a lot less willing to try and use drugs. We think it gives them a break
from the peer pressure."

Larson said he believes more students will be added to the testing program
if the Supreme Court decision allows it.

The Carl Junction program starts at seventh grade and includes athletes and
cheerleaders, he said. Program costs are about $3,000 per year.

Lewis said the testing policy would give student athletes a strong argument
against the offer to use drugs.

"They'll be able to say 'no, I'm not going to lose my eligibility.' It
helps relieve some of the peer pressure," he said.

A student found in violation of the policy would be banned from all sports
activities for nine weeks. A 52-week ban would be imposed on the second
offense, and a permanent ban on any third offense.

If testing found a banned substance, a second test using a different
testing method would be performed. With a confirmed positive test, the
athlete would be banned from practice or competition and the student's
parents or guardian would be contacted to determine if there were another
cause for the test result.

The policy includes an appeals process. Reed said district officials also
are investigating the possibility of offering increased counseling for
students who are determined to have a problem.

The district, starting in the early grades, offers classes and activities
designed to steer students away from drugs.