LONG BEACH TO BEGIN RANDOM DRUG TESTS

LONG BEACH - Students who participate in clubs, sports and other
extracurricular activities will be subject to random drug tests
beginning in late September.

The Long Beach School Board approved the drug policy unanimously
earlier this week, which applies to the middle and high schools.

"Long Beach has a drug problem like many other communities and we
wanted to do something about it," Superintendent Carrolyn Hamilton
said. "This is a result of our work with the drug task force, with the
city and with the community."

The district chose to apply the policy to students who participate in
extracurricular activities because the Supreme Court has ruled it
legal. Schools must provide an education for students, but they don't
have to allow them to participate in outside activities. There are no
academic penalties for student drug use.