New Drug Policy has Major Bite
    By Tristan Pickering and Cydni White
        ~~Picture by Michael Murphree~~

After a long summer of research, MHS has a new drug and alcohol policy, however revising the policy is a lot harder than most people think.  A lot of issues were taken in consideration such as state law, and consequences for students involved in all extra-Curricular activities.

Under the new policy a first time offender must complete 25 miles of running or 15 hours of community service for non-athletic extra-curricular participants.  Also, the student must miss one competition after the completion of the punishment.

A second violation will result in 50 miles or 30 hours, plus the suspension from two competitions.

"This Policy will not affect the students any differently from the other policy as long as they are making appropriate choices concerning drug or alcohol use, "said MHS Principal Kellye Riley.  "Hopefully, since the policy does now have random drug testing as mentioned earlier, it will provide those students in extra-curricular activities one more reason to avoid peer pressure and to stay away from these chemicals that are very harmful to the body."

There were two main reasons why the school district changed the drug and alcohol policy for extra-curricular students. First, by the option of random drug testing of the extra-curricular students we have simply added another proactive element to our cause of keeping our school safe and free.

Secondly, the drug and alcohol policy that had been in effect for the past two years needed to be changed due the consequences for extra-curricular activities are considered "privileges" and not "educational rights", academic or educational consequences for violations of the policy can no longer be used.

Students who violate this policy no longer have to go to SAC, because they cannot legally use academic consequences for extra-curricular activities.

The law changed recently concerning possession of drugs or alcohol on school property.  The new law states that possession of drugs or alcohol, regardless of the amount, or under the influence of drugs of alcohol on school property is an automatic placement in DAEP for no less than 30 days.

Due to this new law, policies must constantly be revised, which is what was done with the drug and alcohol policy and the use of SAC.

Keyed by Eduardo Marquez, Senior