Students to be drug tested

By Tonia Noe-Rose - Staff Writer

June 24, 2008 02:00 pm

— Students involved in extra-curricular activities at school better get ready for drug testing this coming school year.
The Rowan County Board of Education made a motion Tuesday to accept a $96,753 drug-testing grant that will test 10 percent of students in the pool each month.
Dana Quisenberry, with UNITE and instrumental in achieving the grant, spoke to the board and said students who are voluntarily put into the pool by parents also will be tested.
“This is a prevention and early intervention policy,” she said. “It will involve consequences, counseling and supervision.”
Quisenberry said students involved in competitive extra-curricular activities (competing outside the school district with artwork, poster contests, sports, etc.) also would be in the pool. Quisenberry was asked why all students wouldn’t be tested. She said there are laws against forcing an entire student body to be drug tested.
Superintendent Marvin Moore said he is pleased with receiving the grant and ready to see it utilized. “This is a starting point for us,” he said. “We need to send the message that we want all our students drug free.”
Quisenberry said additional funding would be available for the second year in the amount of $92,800 and $93,180 for the third year.