Student athletes demand drug test, district agrees

EUGENE, Ore. — Student-athletes an Oregon school district must submit to drug tests this year, a proposal that students had been urging.

The South Lane School Board has approved a plan to test every student-athlete at least once per season, with some random tests also administered. The Junction City School District has adopted a similar plan.

Students who fail three tests will be removed from the teams.

Some parents and students complain that the policy is ineffective and will drive students away from extracurricular activities.

The school districts say the policies will help curb drug abuse and encourage students with issues to seek help.

A U.S. Supreme Court case in 2002 allowed testing of students participating in extracurricular activities.