Legislature to consider school drug testing bill

THE IOWA HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER A BILL TODAY WHICH WOULD GIVE SCHOOL OFFICIALS THE AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT RANDOM DRUG TESTS OF STUDENTSWHO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, BAND AND OTHER EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. REPRESENTATIVE ROSEMARY THOMPSON, A REPUBLICAN FROM MARION, SAYS THE MAQUOKETA SCHOOL DISTRICT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE BILL. THOMPSON SAYS THE STUDENTS, DISTRICT AND PARENTS ARE BEHIND THE BILL AS A WAY TO HELP DRUG PREVENTION EFFORTS. THOMPSON SAYS ALL SCHOOL OFFICIALS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE DRUG TESTING OPTION. GOVERNOR VILSACK HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT FORCING A TEENAGER TO GIVE A URINE SAMPLE IN FRONT OF AN ADULT OF THE OPPOSITE SEX AND A CONCERN ABOUT TEST RESULTS WHICH FALSELY LABEL A TEEN AS A DRUG USER.