Local News - January 2003

Leading students could face drug tests

By JEREMY ASHTON, LTN Staff Writer

January 15, 2003 - Student-athletes in Lincoln County are used to the possibility of being screened for illegal drugs.

Their classmates in the band, Key Club and National Honor Society eventually might have to submit to the same tests.

The Board of Education began discussing a proposal Wednesday that would allow for random drug testing of students who participate in all extracurricular activities.

Board member Fred Jarrett, who asked to have the matter placed on the agenda, considers random drug screening part of the school board’s obligation to ensure students can learn in a safe environment.

“We need to do everything we can to deter the use of drugs in our schools,” Jarrett said.

Jarrett has seen the positive effects a random testing policy can have in his job at McGuire Nuclear Station. Since Duke Power started such a program in 1990, Jarrett said McGuire’s employees have worked much more efficiently.

He also cited a study conducted in Portland, Ore., that showed students are four times less likely to use illegal substances when a random testing policy is in place.

The issue was referred to the board’s policy committee to research the cost of a potential program, a testing process and public opinion.

Any final decision on the matter could be months away.

A new drug testing policy for students who participate in extracurricular activities would be consistent with a June Supreme Court decision.

In its ruling, the court declared that random tests conducted by a school district in Tecumseh, Okla., did not violate students’ right to privacy under the Fourth Amendment.

Lindsay Cobb, a senior at East Lincoln High School, said she had no problem with random screening on constitutional grounds since participants in clubs and athletics represent their schools.

Cobb, the president of the Lincolnton Student Advisory Council and an active member of several school organizations, is concerned, however, that testing may discourage some students from becoming involved in clubs.

“I don’t know if (the board) would be happy with the results,” Cobb said. “It might hurt more people than it would help.”

Although it has no policy encompassing all extracurricular activities, the school system does have a provision in its handbook allowing a coach or athletic director to test student-athletes if drug use is suspected.

Random screening of athletes is left to the discretion of individual high schools, which must also bear the accompanying financial burden. Of the county’s three high schools, East is the only one that has such a program.

During each sports season, East randomly tests 5 percent of its athletes. Students can be tested up to three times per season, and only the athletic director knows who has been tested.

A positive test results in at least a two-week suspension from all athletic activity. A second leads to a year-long suspension, while a third permanently bars an athlete from competing in sports at East.

Athletic Director Jim Ruark sees very few drug-related problems at East. In fact, no one has tested positive during this school year.

According to Ruark, the purpose of the program is not to eliminate students from playing sports but to help athletes and educate them about drug use.

“This gives them a good reason to say no because they want to continue to play sports,” he said.

Alex Martin, a senior football player, said he has never heard of an athlete at East being suspended for using drugs because they all know the consequences.

Martin readily accepts the testing policy for athletes but said it shouldn’t extend beyond sports if other students are made aware of the effects of drugs.

Erick Gregory, another of the football team’s seniors, understands having the program for athletes. He did say, however, that instituting random testing in other extracurricular activities would be redundant in some ways.

“Wasn’t the whole point of having after-school activities to keep you away from that stuff?” Gregory said.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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