SYLVANIA, Ohio — Starting next academic year, Sylvania schools will begin drug testing their students.
Students involved in sports, clubs, performances and who drive to school can be randomly tested at any time. Many area school districts such as Perrysburg already have this type of policy.
School officials claim the new policy reflects their commitment to keeping school programs drug- and alcohol-free.
"I think more importantly, though, is our own internal drive to be preventative when it comes to substance abuse. To do what we can internally to help our kids make good choices," said Jim Nusbaum, president of the Sylvania Board of Education.
If a student tests positive for drugs, he or she could have to sit out of all activities for one calendar year. This includes school-sponsored events like homecoming.
Students who test positive have the option of receiving professional help to alleviate some of that time, but will still be punished.
Members of the Sylvania Community Action Team see this new policy as an incentive for students to say no to drugs.
"If you know you have a responsibility to make sure that you are not using any drugs or alcohol, that you could be tested and lose that privilege, then we look at that as a tool" said Deb Chany, director of the Sylvania Community Action Team.
School leaders hope the new policy will affect students long term when it comes to living a safe, drug-free lifestyle
"Can I project how this will affect them 20 years from now? No. But if we can help them make good choices today then we’re doing a good thing," Nusbaum said.
School leaders said most of the feedback about this new policy has been positive, although there are some parents out there who feel this affects their child’s privacy. But in the long run, the entire school board believes it’s for the best.