Monday, 01 October 2007 01:42
ACUSD Looks Into Instating a New Drug Policy
The Amador
County School
District may be looking into a new drug testing policy for those
students who are involved in Extracurricular activities and Athletics.
There has been growing public concern about the use of controlled and illegal
substances among high school and possibly even junior high school students.
There was some research done by staff, legal advice provided, and review of
Governmental policy regarding the situation. A steroid policy was adopted in
2005, the next step would be to instate a policy for the search and seizure of those
substances.
The big question seems to be: is there a problem now or is there a
potentially growing problem? Surveys were given to certified staff who have
been or are currently coaches. Staff also referred back to the Healthy Kids
Survey, and a short survey is available for parents of junior high and high
school students which will all be taken into consideration. The enstatement of
a drug policy and the costs associated with carrying it out would be an
economic investment as the cost alone of drug sniffing dogs, which seemed to be
the best deterrent at nearby high schools Bret Harte and Calaveras, run around
$10,000 per year. The surveys are to be completed by October 5th,
and a press release will follow shortly after.
