Erik Sanzenbach / L’Observateur / August 7, 1999

RESERVE- The St. John Parish School Board voted to follow the LouisianaHigh School Athletic Association’s mandate that all high school athletes participate in random drug-testing for this school year.

In 2000, all participants in extracurricular activities will be tested for drugs.

Elton Oubre, acting supervisor of Safe and Drug Free Schools, presented a draft of the drug screening policy to the board Thursday night. The drafthad called for not only athletes to be tested, but that members of the cheerleader squad, the marching band, drill team and dance team also be subject to random drug tests.

When School Board member Charles Watkins asked why the drug testing didn’t extend to all extracurricular activities, Oubre said cost was a big factor.

“The price to drug test all school clubs would almost double,” Oubre said.

Instead, they picked the activities that would incur the most injuries if done while under the influence of drugs, and the band, cheerleaders, drill team and dance team were selected.

The athletes’ drug testing is mandatory.

Board member Leroy Mitchell wanted to know why alcohol was not in the list of drugs to be tested. Oubre said this was only a draft and that hewould add in a specific alcohol test if needed.

Watkins wondered if they shouldn’t test athletes only this year, and the rest later on. Board member Matthew Ory said he was worried aboutincluding all the groups. He agreed with Watkins that they should startwith only the athletes.

Then board member Dr. Gerald Keller moved that they adopt the draft, butthat in 2001, the schools start testing all extracurricular activities.

Watkins then made a substitute motion that only athletes be tested this school year, and then drug testing be mandatory for all extracurricular activities next year.

Debbie Schum, principal of East St. John High School, urged the board tohurry up and make up its mind because of time constraints. If the board didnot put a minimum drug testing policy in place football players would not be able to play in the first game of the season, which starts in two weeks.

LHSAA policy states that any athlete who is not drug tested will not be able to participate in school sports.

The board voted on Watkin’s substitute motion and it passed 6-4 with James Madere, John Crose, Richard DeLong and Clarence Triche voting against the motion. Mitchell abstained.Athletes and their parents will have to sign a consent form saying they agree to the drug testing and that they will abstain from all drug use.

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