Add Warrenton High School to the list of schools that are implementing drug testing programs. The Warren County R-III School Board last Thursday voted 4-2 to adopt a policy requiring high school students who are involved in extracurricular activities or park on district property to be subject to random drug testing.  Board members Jan Sutherland, Scott Costello, Lisa Waltrip and Beth Banze voted in favor of the drug testing policy. The dissenting votes were made by Teresa Scott and Bill Hawley. The policy goes into effect on July 1, though a minor change to the policy is expected in the near future. Conducting the random tests will cost the district around $7,000 annually. That expense will be offset by a $35 annual parking fee charged to student drivers, district officials said. Currently, there is no parking fee.  The school board’s decision ended a four-month process that began following an inquiry from a parent and ended with a lengthy discussion last week that left the board split on the testing proposal.  District officials in favor of drug testing students said it’s their intent to prevent substance abuse and create a healthy environment. “As a community, it’s our responsibility to make sure our children are safe,” Waltrip said. “As board members, as representatives of the school district, we need to step up and make certain our kids are as safe as they can be. I think we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to make sure all of our kids are safe.” Costello added: “I look at this as an opportunity to identify and address issues when a positive test occurs. As Mrs. Waltrip indicated, it does take the efforts of many people in the community, not just the parents, to do the job of raising our children. We see it on the news every week, a student somewhere died of a heroin overdose. While it may not be our responsibility, and some may say it’s not our business, I am willing to go out on a limb if it can save one kid.” Following a confirmed test, students will be prohibited from participating in activities and parking on the district’s property for 10 consecutive participation or school days. For a second and third offense, the suspension period will increase to 90 days and one calendar year, respectively. Students must pass a district-administered drug test and complete a drug or alcohol counseling program prior to participating in activities again. A fourth offense will prohibit students from participating in any extracurricular activities or parking on the district’s property.  Students will still be able to attend class during the period they are suspended from participating in activities or parking at the school, according to district officials. Prior to taking action at last week’s meeting, board members agreed to delete language requiring students to participate in a counseling program for a first offense. Instead, district officials want to see if school counselors or other resources are available to eliminate the expense for counseling.  The district is not paying for the counseling program and concerns were raised that families might not be able to afford to send their child to counseling.  Once the counselor situation is figured out, the school board will amend the policy at a future meeting. Hawley felt the district should follow an existing policy that allows district staff to intervene when a student is suspected of using drugs rather than implementing a testing program. He also offered concerns that some students may quit an activity rather than be subject to the random testing and increase their drug use. He also questioned whether a testing program will reduce long-term drug use. “I may be naive, but I wouldn’t look to the school to test,” Hawley said. “I would go find a test somewhere.”  Scott had similar concerns. “My bottom line is it’s the parents’ responsibility,” she stated. “All of the resources that are available through the drug policy are available to parents. I think that is the way it should be dealt with.”  Sutherland, however, recalled a recent discussion with a participant from the county’s Drug/DWI Court program. She said the participant acknowledged being under the influence of drugs every day at school. “I don’t think we’re looking at the gotcha here,” Sutherland said. “We’re looking at preventing and helping these young people. I understand it’s a parents’ responsibility, but it’s difficult for parents to admit that their children are on drugs unless they are so addicted that their whole lifestyle has changed. Many of our students can pass through with an addiction and parents don’t really realize it until it gets to a crucial point where they can end up in a bad way or be headed to prison.” Also in the policy is a provision that students who test positive and refuse to complete a counseling program will not be allowed to participate in any extracurricular activities or park on the district’s property until a counseling session is completed. A student refusing to submit to a test or found falsifying results will be suspended for one calendar year from participating in extracurricular activities or parking.  For students who do not participate in extracurricular activities or park at school, parents will be able to voluntarily enroll them in the drug testing program. If the student tests positive for drugs, the parent or guardian will be notified, but the student will not be penalized, according to the policy.  The district also plans to host a volunteer drug testing night twice a year. There will be no consequences if a student tests positive and parents will be responsible for paying for the test.