Othello considers drug testing for athletes

School district discusses possible policy

OTHELLO — Drug testing of student athletes in the Othello School District was discussed by the school board Wednesday.

Before the policy was voted on by the school board, changes were being suggested. The board did not take action on the proposal.

Athletic Director Pete Patitucci said he brought the question of a drug policy to the board to begin dialogue on the issue. An athletic committee in charge of reviewing the policy each year wanted advice from the board, Patitucci said. Last year, the committee considered the idea but didn't take action on it.

In Washington, 16 schools have a drug policy, he said.

"It would be for high school students only," he noted. "It would be for athletes only."

District Superintendent George Juarez said input is needed from the community on whether athletes should be tested for drugs. Juarez recommended the policy go back to the committee.

Board member Robert Wilson wanted to know whether Othello School District has a drug problem.

"Obviously, somebody thinks it's a problem, or it wouldn't have been brought up," Wilson said.

Athletic committee member Juan Garza, who is probation manager with the juvenile court, said he doesn't know whether the school has a drug problem, but he hears there is one.

Juarez said he believes drugs touch students in the same way they touch the rest of the population.

"It's happening in every high school, in every town, in every community in the nation," he said.

Wilson said he is not against the code, but he wants to see community input.

Patitucci agreed.

"It's got to be a community commitment saying, 'Hey, there may be a problem. Let's try it,'" he said.

Board member Angela Kirkwood asked why staff are not tested for drugs if students are to be tested. Teachers and administrators need to be held accountable, Kirkwood said.

She believed athletes shouldn't be singled out from other students.

"It must be all those involved in extracurricular activities," she said.

Kirkwood questioned who would pay the drug testing fees.

A change in the number of credits required to participate in sports is included in the proposed code, to accommodate district plans to add a period at Othello High School.