PLAN HAS REWARDS FOR STUDENTS WHO AGREE TO RANDOM DRUG TESTS

MATHEWS, Va. (AP) - School division officials are considering a policy
that would encourage high school students to agree to random drug tests in
return for incentives that include free parking and free admission to
school events.

The voluntary program was presented to the county School Board at its
January meeting and could be voted on as early as Feb. 19, officials said.

"We think that it's unique and a very positive approach," said Georg T.
Kidd, the assistant school superintendent. "The goal here was to provide
help for students who need help--not to be 'I got you!' "

The Mathews High School Voluntary Drug Screening Program grew from a
yearlong study by a committee of administrators, parents and students that
formed after a handful of students on the football team were caught smoking
marijuana.

"We're making it available as what we're considering to be a good service
for the community," Principal Mary B. Whitley said.

School Board members postponed voting on the proposal in January because
they wanted a detailed explanation of how the program's costs will fit into
next year's budget, said Superintendent Harry M. Ward said.

Officials estimate the school will pay an independent testing company about
$2,500 a year to check urine samples from 10 randomly selected students
each month of the 10-month school year.

Two incentives--waiving the $25-a-year parking fee for participants and
giving them free admission to school events _ could amount to as much as
$5,000 in lost revenue, officials, so the district must contemplate overall
costs of up to $7,500.

The other proposed incentives would be free tickets that school officials
hope might be available from attractions such as Busch Gardens, and the
right to miss four days of school, rather than three, and still be eligible
to skip taking final exams.

Although the proposal has been well received so far by adults and most
students in this rural Middle Peninsula county, critics say the proposal
would penalize students who don't participate.

Kent Willis, director of the Virginia chapter of the American Civil
Liberties Union, said that legally, the program could amount to punishing
students who choose not to give up their constitutionally protected right
to privacy.

Willis said his organization would ask the schools for information and then
take action to oppose the policy.