Botetourt County Schools outline new random drug testing policy

DALEVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - Botetourt County students returned to school this week, with the school division reinstating random drug screenings after a four-year hiatus.

Botetourt County Public Schools held a news conference Wednesday to explain the details of the new policy. It said this is part of a larger effort to discourage students from using alcohol and other drugs.

“With some changes in Virginia legislation in the last few years, we’ve seen an increase, not just in Botetourt but across the state of Virginia, in the use of cannabis amongst teens. So with some feedback and the increase in referrals here in Botetourt County Public Schools, we’re just looking for some ways to hopefully reduce some substance use and addiction across the division,” said BCPS Assistant Superintendent Jordan Pinkard.

Pinkard said the policy was also influenced by feedback from students.

“Last year, we got to meet with students from across the division. There were many students who had previously been a part of the drug testing policy, and they advocated that it was a positive deterrent for students. It gave our students who maybe didn’t want to succumb to peer pressure a safe way to say no, ultimately,” he said.

The pool of students eligible for random drug testing includes any middle school or high school student who participates in an extracurricular activity or sport that competes at the state level. Additionally, any high school student with a school parking pass is eligible. This expands the criteria compared to previous drug test policies.

“Twice each season, and we’re defining season based on VSHL Athletic policies, so the fall, winter, and spring. There will be two different testing periods, and 5% of the entire student pool will be included in each random testing. We estimate that across the division throughout the year, there will be approximately 250 students who are eventually tested,” said Pinkard.

The drug screening program for the entire year will cost $65,000. That money has already been set aside in the school division’s budget. Students will be tested for alcohol and nicotine in addition to other drugs.

“The number one goal of this is about prevention and rehabilitation. There are going to be some consequences that are associated with that, but the very first one, if it is for nicotine, that student will meet with the admin, along with their parents. Ultimately, it’s a conference to review policy, make sure there’s some education on the downsides of utilizing nicotine, and how it can potentially be a gateway to other things. That student will also be enrolled with our student assistance and prevention program coordinator at each high school, and they’re going to go through an education piece,” said Pinkard.

Students who test positive for alcohol or other drugs, or have second positive nicotine tests, will be removed from all competitions for 14 days and be required to go through an educational substance use prevention program.

“If there is a second drug screen that comes back positive, Intercept Health is going to provide some more intensive rehabilitation services through their True North program. In addition to that, they (the students) will be suspended from all practices and games for 60 days,” said Pinkard.

Student drivers will also lose their parking passes for 14 days on a first positive test and for 60 days on a second.

“There are no exceptions. With that being said, if you are a student who is on a prescription drug, there are things that might key a false positive if you have certain prescriptions. After that student is drug tested, they will have the ability to produce prescriptions to show that there was a reason for that false positive,” said Pinkard.

Pinkard said so far, the feedback from parents on the policy has been positive. He said it should reduce cannabis use among students.

“Since the legislation has changed, we did see an increase in the number of referrals for cannabis use on school property. We modeled this policy after Campbell County. They saw an 82% decrease with a similar implementation last year,” he said.

The drug tests will be conducted by Safety and Compliance Services and will give results to the school division within a week.