Dade Co. Board Adopts Student Drug-Testing Policy

By Adrienne D. Coles

The Dade County, Fla., school board has agreed to begin random drug testing of high school students whose parents consent to the idea, becoming the first large district in the country to adopt such a policy.

The Miami-area district plans to begin testing some students by early next year, officials said last week.

The school board voted 6-3 late last month to start a districtwide pilot program, and officials will begin in January to seek parent permission to test students. For parents who agree, a private testing agency will test their children for use of marijuana, cocaine, opiates, barbiturates, and amphetamines. The scheduling of such...