PLAINWELL, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Students at Plainwell High School may find themselves being randomly drug tested as a condition for participation in after school activities.
In response to several instances of student vaping, the school is considering drug testing students in order to help curb the problem. Educational methods would also be used in accordance with the testing.
Only students involved in after school activities would be subject to the random tests, as these activities are considered a privilege, not a right, unlike a free education.
School officials say that parents and students alike would have to consent to the program if it were implemented, and this permission would be a requirement for participating in extracurricular activities.
Additionally, parents may also request to have their children tested. The results would be seen by the parents only, not school officials.
Any student testing positive for drugs would be issued a non-punitive punishment that would include education on the subject.
Some critics of the proposal say they aren’t sure whether this is the best course of action.
The school is expected to make a decision on the program sometime next December.
