The Amador County Unified School District is looking at implementing a drug testing policy. At Wednesday night’s Board of Trustees meeting, the board conducted a first reading of the policy.  Several interviews and surveys that were conducted in 2007 will be evaluated by the board and will help them consider whether or not drugs pose a considerable threat to Amador County, and if implementing some sort of drug testing policy for extracurricular activity participants is suitable for Amador schools. The purpose of the proposed drug testing policy is to help prevent student athletes from using drugs, to help protect students’ heath and safety, to provide drug abusers with the appropriate assistance, and to preserve and maintain a positive learning environment. If implemented, the policy would require random drug testing for students involved in sports and other school activities.

Also, parents would be able to request drug testing for their child, if under the age of 18. Each student and their parents will be required to sign a consent form before any testing can be done. Samples would be tested by a licensed drug testing agency, and the test would screen for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates and alcohol.  Results would only be given to the superintendent of schools, or a designee, as well as the student’s legal guardians.  The policy that was reviewed by the board was detailed and comprehensive, with specific actions to be taken for first, second, and third offenses. According to the district, about 12 percent of U.S. high schools participate in some type of drug testing.  As part of their review, the district looked at seven of those programs.  The proposed policy will be reviewed by the school district’s attorneys, and will under go a second reading at the board’s next regularly schedule meeting on April 23rd.