Student athletes may have mandatory random drug testing | Fun

STOCKTON, CA - Late Wednesday night, Lincoln Unified School Board voted to take another step forward in the process that could lead to random drug testing for athletes at Lincoln High School in Stockton.

Parents listened to the controversial issue and debated it before school board members.

Many parents whole-heartedly supported the policy, saying that any attempt to cut down on drug use by students and to keep them safe is a worthwhile endeavor.

"I think it's a wonderful thing. The students shouldn't be doing drugs," parent Karyn Johnson said.

Johnson's daughters are on the swim team and volleyball team.

"I wish they could test every student on campus," said Johnson. "And if we can only test the athletes, then lets test the athletes."

Others, like Attorney Gary Gershon, an ACLU volunteer, consider mandatory random drug testing an invasion of privacy.

The school superintendent said the random drug testing would be a confidential procedure.

Students who fail their drug test would not be reported to law enforcement, but they would be required to get medically cleared or would have to enroll in 6-week drug education program.

By Suzanne Phan, sphan@news10.net

Twitter: @suzannephan