This program seeks to provide needed help for students who have a verified positive test. The student’s health, safety and welfare are the ultimate reasons for not allowing a student to participate in an extra-curricular activity, athletics and or driving to school. Students who test positive will be encouraged to participate in and satisfactorily complete a counseling program either at school or by a certified, professional counseling program.

This policy applies to all South Hunterdon Regional High School students in grades 7-12 who wish to participate in extracurricular activities that are listed in the current student handbook and any other school sponsored extracurricular activities not listed. Approximately 60 students may be tested each year. In addition to athletics, extra curricular participation, and driving to school, parents may voluntarily enroll their students into the testing pool. The inclusion of voluntary family participation may assist families in dealing with possible drug and alcohol usage and will expand the number of students to be tested.

In administrating a program providing for the detection of the use of illegal drugs and alcohol the School Board’s objectives are to:

a. Detect and act on a student’s poor choices while the effects and consequences are reversible; b. Deter students from using drugs and alcohol;
c. Reduce injuries and illness that may be caused by students using drugs and alcohol;
d. Educate all students about the harm caused by the use of drugs and alcohol; and
e. Provide early warning to parents of substance abuse by their children.

Timeline 

• South Hunterdon has discussed the need for a student random drug testing program for a number of years. 
• In the February 2006, SHRHS students were surveyed on their drug and alcohol use using the American Drug & Alcohol Survey.
• In April 2006, the results of the survey were shared with faculty. In April 2006 results of the survey related to the use of alcohol were shared with parents and the community.
• In October 2006, the Policy Committee of the Board decided to share results of the survey as related to drug use with the community and discussed the reasons for a student random drug testing policy.
• During the month of November, the superintendent met with students in both small group meetings and in health classes to solicit input and discuss the program
• On November 7, 2006, the superintendent met with members of the Family School Council, Athletic Advisory Council and PTSO to discuss the program.
• A Community Meeting was held on November 28, 2006 to discuss the new policy/program.
• In February and March 2007, a school committee consisting of administrators, school student assistance counselor, school nurse and students reviewed other school random drug testing policies and drafted the SHRHS policy.
• The SHRHS School Board introduced the first reading of the Student Random Drug Testing policy at the March 15, 2007 public School Board meeting.
• We meet with the teachers and administrators to formally discuss the new policy on February 21 and plan on another discussion on March 6.
• The Board will read the new policy for the second time at the March 29 School Board meeting.
• The AD will discuss the new program at parent meetings this summer prior to the fall sports season.
• Parents will sign drug testing program forms in the fall
• The Student Random Drug Testing program will begin in the fall 2007.