Officials at Naperville North and Central high schools say rampant student drug use has made them consider random drug tests.
Within the past year, 24 of the 30 violations of Naperville Unit District 203’s co-curricular code, which restricts the use of drugs during extracurricular activities, have been marijuana-related, according to the Chicago Tribune.
At an annual review of the co-curricular code, school officials introduced the idea of subjecting students to random drug testing to deter them from using marijuana. Testing would apply to athletes and students involved in other extracurricular activities.
Currently the code mandates students caught using drugs be suspended from all extracurricular activities and requires them to see a drug and alcohol counselor. But board members are concerned whether the addition to the code would include legal action, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Officials haven’t discussed legal consequences at this time, but Naperville North Athletic Director Jim Konrad told the Chicago Tribune he hopes the testing will be positive support for students and parents.
While some parents think the school is overstepping its bounds, others believe the testing will help encourage their children to say no when confronted with drugs.
Officials plan to research legal and privacy issues involved in random drug testing, as well as cost before discussion of the code continues at the June 17 school board meeting.
