Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 28, 1995 TAG: 9506280021
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
School officials said Tuesday they might look into the possibility of testing, but some said the cost could be high - and they aren't sure that tests are needed.
"We have so many student athletes that the cost could run into thousands of dollars," said John Kent, Bedford County superintendent. "Our people are perceptive [about drug abuse], and I am not sure that it is necessary."
The tests cost $25 or more per person, depending on which drugs are checked for. Testing a football team could cost several thousand dollars.
Superintendent Deanna Gordon said there has been no clamor for drug testing in Roanoke County. She said she has heard only two or three comments about a desire for drug testing in recent years.
"Frankly, I have not heard enough discussion to know whether it is something the community would support," Gordon said, "but this decision might create more interest in it."
Karen Clymer, coordinator of pupil personnel services for Pulaski County, said she expects Pulaski school officials to discuss the issue because of the Supreme Court ruling. But she would not predict their decision.
"I'm sure we will talk about it. But there are a lot of factors to be considered," Clymer said. "It would be fairly expensive."
Jerry Little, athletic director at Franklin County High School, said coaches and athletic directors at many schools have discussed drug testing. Until now, they have rejected it for several reasons, including the legal issue, he said.
Little said that when he was football coach at Cave Spring High School, a testing program was considered, but the Roanoke County attorney was concerned about its legality.
"It would be expensive, costing up into the thousands of dollars," Little said. "Several different types of tests, including outside labor work, would be required."
Herman Bartlett, Montgomery County superintendent, said he sees no need for drug testing of athletes, but he said there might be some support for it.
"I think we suspected that it was not legal, but this ruling might change some people's thinking," he said. "We have not had any discussions of the need for it."
Most school systems in the region have mandatory drug testing for bus drivers.
Lynchburg is the closest place that requires drug testing for athletes. The city's policy, one of few in the nation, was adopted five years ago.
Until Monday, the Supreme Court had not ruled that school systems could test athletes, but it had never said that they couldn't, according to Robin Hegner, staff attorney for the Virginia School Boards Association.
by CNB