Marijuana Policy Project

CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. — Next year, Cabell County schools will begin mandatory drug testing for many of its middle school students.

This year, it’s the Cabell County high school students who must consent to a drug test, or forget about playing football, cheerleading, or driving a car to school.

Inside Cabell Midland High School Tuesday, parking permits were only issued to students who have filled out a drug testing consent form.

Todd Alexander, the Cabell school system administrator in charge of drug testing, said every fall sports participant and extra curricular activity student has signed the mandatory consent form.

"We've checked the kids who played last year and are back, 100% compliance," Alexander said.

Alexander said the actual testing of the 1,500 Cabell students will start in the next two weeks.

A computer will randomly pick up to 20 students at a time.

The drug tests including tests for illegal steroids will run weekly or biweekly.

Alexander said about half of the pool will be tested this year, so the student threat of drug testing looms as large as the test itself.

Alexander said the most important thing parents need to know about the drug testing policy; first time offenders face treatment and counseling options before suspension or expulsion

"We're not big brother; this is a tool for parents and may open some eyes. It's not a punitive program, unless the student gets out of control," Alexander said.

The Huntington High session comes up on Tuesday September 2nd at 6 p.m. at the highlanders' auditorium.

The Cabell Midland meeting is set for Thursday September 4th at 6 p.m. at the knights' auditorium.

The meetings are mandatory for any high school student who drives to school or plays sports and has not signed a consent form.