TUHS DRUG POLICY HEARD

Discipline at Taft Union High School is becoming more defined with the recent recommendation to the district's board.  The "Extra-Curricular Activity Code of Ethics" review committee has suggested that the board approve tonight's revised edition of the Code of Ethics.

The second reading of the revised "Extra-Curricular Activity Code of Ethics" will be heard tonight at the TUHS board meeting to be held at 7 p.m.  in the boardroom located in the center of the TUHS campus.

The addition to the previous code deals directly with the athletic department.  If approved, TUHS will begin random drug testing and an athletic tutorial program this fall to encourage students to put health, safety and responsibilities back into a high level of priority.  Superintendent Curt Dubost stands behind the suggested changes but insists that the school is treating the matter in a positive fashion.

"We're not trying to catch athletes," Dubost explained.  According to the superintendent, the goal is simple.  "If there's a kid with a problem, we're going to get them help."

Dubost also hopes that the random drug testing, if approved, would give students a way out of peer pressure situations off campus as well as on.

The school is focusing mainly on the on-campus situations.  Should a student be found positive during a random test, it is assumed that action will not only protect that student but also the students around them.

Many questions surround the process of the random testing.  At the beginning of each sport season, student-athletes are subject to random testing.  The chosen students are either under suspicion by the school or are chosen from a lottery system.  If by coincidence a student's name is chosen twice from the system, they will test both times.

After a number is tested, it remains in the pool of numbers and will be available for testing each time.

If an athlete tests positive, a second test would be given to assure the results were correct the first time.  Immediately following the tests, the athlete's parents/guardians are informed of the results.  Under rights given to American citizens in the Constitution, the parents may appeal.  A hearing will then be heard by the administration.

If a student has been or is taking prescription medication under direction of a physician, they are to provide a copy of the prescription or their doctor's verification.

After a positive test is confirmed and the parents have been notified, the student will be enrolled in a counseling and rehabilitative drug program that will be provided by Taft High.  The student will be under mandatory testing through out the remainder of the school year or until released by TUHS if seen fit.

A positive test result will not end the athletic career of a student.  For a first time offender, a four-week suspension will be in effect for game-type situations.  The athlete will keep practicing as part of the team.  The objective is to keep the student involved, not singled out, and to motivate the student towards better decisions.

A second positive test will make an athlete ineligible for the rest of the school year.

Parents are to be made aware of the drug testing policy in advance.  They are encouraged to read the "Extra-Curricular Activity Code of Ethics" each school year and are required to sign a consent form in order for their student to be an athlete.

Initially, the suggested policy change was to include a "No 'F'" policy for athletes.  Although the goal of the TUHS committee is to erase all failures from report cards each quarter, they decided to take a smaller step.  The change to be read tonight by the board states that "A student/athlete that receives a failing grade or incomplete will be required to enroll, if not presently enrolled, in an 'athletic' tutorial immediately for at least one semester."

Student-athletes that will be targeted for the program are those in danger of receiving an "F" or those having a 2.3 or lower grade point average.  In order to participate in extra-curricular activities, TUHS has a strict standard of a student maintaining a 2.0 GPA or above.

Dubost's view is that the proactive steps will increase efforts by an athlete in the classroom and the field.

The committee-comprised of administration, teachers, staff members and students-was concerned that the initial "No 'F'" policy was too strict, too soon.