PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) _ Students in a western Kentucky county who want to drive to school, play sports or participate in extracurricular activities will have to do more than keep their grades up.

 

The Graves County school board unanimously passed a mandatory drug testing program last week that will go into effect this fall. Under the plan, students who want to play sports, join a club such as the marching band or drive to school will have to pass a drug test first.

 

Thoughts?

I'm against it. Either test everyone or no one.

I think that would be ideal, but at least this way, they're not singling out athletes, which is what is most commonly done.

I'm against it. Either test everyone or no one.

Very valid point but I'm in favor, of testing athletes. Test them for illegal substances and enhancements. I would also include, Coaches, Bus Drivers and Officials/Ref's.

 

If you're representing your school, in an extracurricular sporting event, than I'm for testing. If you're driving onto and off school property, as a student, than I'm for it.

 

From the article...."Every school has a drug problem because every community has a drug problem," Bushart said. "This will allow us to say we are being pro-active about a problem that's at-large."

I think drug-testing is unconstitutional but the U.S. Supreme Court disagrees with me. We've been doing this in Nelson County for several years and it has impacted our extracurricular programs in a major way.

....We've been doing this in Nelson County for several years and it has impacted our extracurricular programs in a major way.

As in a positive manner or loss of potential student-athletes, not playing or testing positive?

I think drug-testing is unconstitutional but the U.S. Supreme Court disagrees with me. We've been doing this in Nelson County for several years and it has impacted our extracurricular programs in a major way.

 

In what way?

As in a positive manner or loss of potential student-athletes, not playing or testing positive?

 

I can't imagine anyone would think that losing drug using athletes would be worse than fielding clean players....:confused:

I can't imagine anyone would think that losing drug using athletes would be worse than fielding clean players....:confused:

Hold on, hold on....I'm not implying "drug using athletes", but rather those not going out, because themselves or guardians, think it's wrong.

Hold on, hold on....I'm not implying "drug using athletes", but rather those not going out, because themselves or guardians, think it's wrong.

 

Oh....

If you're gonna test athletes for performance enhancers, test the academic team for beta blockers also...

If you're gonna test athletes for performance enhancers, test the academic team for beta blockers also...

 

 

"Beta" blockers? Aren't those people who boycott the Beta Club?

 

They are testing all students in extracurricular activities, and students who drive to school.

If you're gonna test athletes for performance enhancers, test the academic team for beta blockers also...

And the cheer squad for anti-depressants...

As in a positive manner or loss of potential student-athletes, not playing or testing positive?

 

Well, outwardly, in loss of student-athletes, kids not coming out for sports because they would rather do other things. I don't want to get myself in a rules violation here, but I think you get my drift. That has resulted in an environment of general skepticism, lack of parental trust of administrative officials and vice versa, low morale by the student body, and a general atmosphere where sports does not carry the banner for your school. By no means do I blame all of this on the drug-testing policy, but an element of it all has been caused by a general malaise and mistrust.

 

Behind-the-scenes, however, the drug policy has weeded out a lot of the no-loads and the programs have rebuilt from the bottom with more committed kids. Belssing in disguise, perhaps.

My old High School does this but they also test random students.