Hall student random drug testing expanded

GAINESVILLE - Hall County high school student drivers are now subject to random drug testing and can expect to pay higher parking fees to defray the cost of that testing.

School board members Monday night approved the drug test extension; Superintendent Will Schofield said steroid testing and reporting a positive result is up to parents.

"If they chose, which I think would be the right thing to do, to come forward to the school and say 'yes' there has been a substance, they would fall under the same policy as everyone else," Schofield said.

Schofield said random steroid testing is cost prohibitive right now but the school system will work with any parents who want to make sure their student is drug free.

During a May 19 public hearing on expanding random testing a Hall County parent said he wanted steroids added to the list of drugs for random testing.

System athletic director Gordon Higgins said at the hearing student surveys indicated steroid abuse is low compared to other drugs.

Higgins said there was no opposition to expanding the random testing.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/6/210477