HAMILTON, Ohio — To address what it believes is a 'staggering impact' of drug use on students and their families, one Ohio high school is taking the drastic step of requiring drug testing for all students starting in January.
Hamilton's Stephen T. Baden High School, a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, announced the new policy as part of its Health and Wellness Initiative on Tuesday.
"The purpose of this initiative is to provide our students with help first and to involve parent(s)/guardian(s) every step of the way," principal Brian Pendergast wrote in a letter to parents.
Each student will be randomly tested a minimum of one time per school year under the new policy. Students may also be tested randomly and there is no maximum number of times one might be tested.
A positive drug test will result in confidential counseling. A second positive test would bring forth a comprehensive intervention plan. A third positive test could result in the student being expelled from school. A refusal to take a test will be considered a positive test.
"This is in the best interests of the students," Pendergest said. "The impact of drug use on young students and their families is staggering, and our community is not immune to this issue. Being proactive on drug testing is the appropriate action on our part."
You can read the entire letter from Baden school officials, plus the complete drug testing policy below:
