DRUG TESTING AT SCHOOLS A LIFE-OR-DEATH ISSUE FOR SOME

ASHEVILLE - Zach Davis might as well be at the center of Buncombe County's debate over the effectiveness of testing high school students for drug use.  Davis' parents believe a severe reaction to methadone killed their son in January.  The county school system's proposed test would have failed to detect the drug, but a testing program might have been enough of a deterrent to keep the Owen High athlete away from methadone.

"I'm not going to say that drug testing at school could have saved my son's life, but it could save other kids' lives," said Robert Davis, Zach's father.  "I think the school system should have more authority to investigate drug usage."

The Buncombe County Board of Education today will consider giving Roberson High that power in voting on a proposal to institute mandatory random drug testing at the school.  The plan would apply only to students involved in sports and other extracurricular activities.