Texas School District Begins Testing for Drugs for Extracurricular Activities in 7th Grade

  • July 26, 2019
  • Posted by: Shane Dwyer
  • Category: Drug Testing
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It’s not just the jobs where people need to operate machinery where drug testing is taking place, apparently.  In a bizarre story I read on CNN, a school district in the state of Texas is set to begin testing students for drugs as early as grade 7 if they are trying to participate in extracurricular activities.

Texas School District Promotes a Drug Free Environment

The district, located in Amarillo, Texas, is Bushland Independent School District, and starting this fall, in 2019, anyone in the seventh grade, all the way through grade 12, who is looking to get involved in any extracurricular activity ranging from sports, bad, and even the student council and chess teams, has to pass a required drug test.

“We’ve discussed drug testing policy for about a year now, and the board wants to be proactive,”  “They want our kids to have a drug-free environment; we want our kids to make great decisions.”
-Bushland Superintendent Chris Wigington (as told to CNN Affiliate KVII.)  
This step is a proactive one, Wigington went on, as well as clarifying that the district, with 1,400 students, does not currently have any known drug problems.
I applaud the step in being proactive, especially with America’s youth.  This is a big step in the right direction. While I am a huge advocate of marijuana, I do not see any reason for children that young to be involved in using it unless there is a chronic illness or injury that it is specifically prescribed for.  In that case, I’d love to see some sort of exclusion where the child can participate in these activities, because activities are great for kids and teens, I was highly involved in them growing up and found myself creating many life long friendships in the process.
Any student below the age of 18 is required to sign a consent form and subsequently pass a drug test in order to participate, as well as know that they may be tested at random up to ten times each school year.  Tests will study the use of cocaine, marijuana, heroin, amphetamines, and opiates.  This will go a long way towards getting students focused on keeping clean if they want to be involved in sports and other activities. Again, I really applaud this move and hope that other districts follow suit.

What Happens if a Student Tests Positive?

There will be consequences for anyone who tests negative, according to the article.  While there will not be any suspensions, the student will not be allowed to participate in the extracurricular activities, partake in social events, (I imagine like school dances and the such), as well as park on the school grounds.  A meeting will also be set up with the parent of the student in tandem with district officials.  After the suspension ends and the student passes a test, they can apply for re-instatement.  Like the Federal Justice System, the number of times the person offends the new rule will equal the punishment given out.  Additionally, a clean slate will start between middle school and high school.

Being in these activities is a privilege, and I think this is a great way to regulate that and make sure kids are focused.



Author: Shane Dwyer
Shane Dwyer is a cannabis advocate who isn't afraid to tell the world about it! You can find his views, rants, and tips published regularly at The 420 Times.

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