DRUG TESTS FOR WHITFIELD ATHLETES

DALTON, Ga. -- Whitfield County student-athletes will be subject to random
drug testing next year.

The Whitfield County Board of Education on Tuesday approved the first
reading of a new policy to allow high school student-athletes to undergo
random drug testing. Drug dogs brought to Northwest High School last fall
sniffed out marijuana in three student vehicles in the parking lot.

"The policy is something we need to have," said Northwest principal Sonny
Day. "It's not just to catch kids involved in drugs. Rather, it gives kids
an opportunity to have an out if approached by their peers. They can say,
'I may be drug-tested.'"

The policy was considered following the discovery of the drugs at
Northwest, said Whitfield County school superintendent Tom Dickson. It also
will apply to Southeast High School.

"We've had significant conversation amongst parents, board members and
teachers. When several athletes were found with drugs, it became a serious
situation," Dickson said. "The Supreme Court has limited it to
student-athletes. It could possibly expand."

The policy was initiated by parents, not administrators, school board
chairman Mark Fidler said.

"It's parent-driven, not board-driven. It's from the parents of athletes
and other parents in the school system," Fidler said. "(Athletes) are role
models for schools. I think we will find out that, in general, athletes are
top-quality students."

Students who test positive for drugs will receive counseling, Fidler said.

"We want to get them on the right road," Fidler said. "We are just trying
to give the parents reassurance."

A second reading is scheduled March 5 to make the new policy official.

A similar policy has been in effect in Catoosa County for four years.