Carroll’s policy change goes into effect during the 2017-18 school year; while Chaminade Julienne’s will begin in 2018-19.
Next year, CJ will offer the testing on a voluntary basis.
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Both schools say the program is not punitive in nature, but an opportunity to educate students and address addiction to drugs and alcohol at a young age. Only students who repeatedly test positive for substance abuse will be disciplined.
The schools each cited the opiate epidemic in the country, as well as the Miami Valley in particular, as one reason for heightened concern.
RELATED: ‘Study drugs’ put students at risk medically, legally
“You can’t open the Dayton Daily News or turn on Channel 7 and not hear, unfortunately, really unfortunate stories about people who are overdosing on these very lethal drugs,” said Principal Matt Sableski of Carroll High School.
WHIO did a Facebook poll on whether or not this was a good idea. Here are the results:
Chaminade Julienne Principal John Marshall told this news organization he hopes the extra year will give the school ample time to address any concerns parents may have during the transitional stage.
Where is news happening in the Miami Valley?
Carroll and CJ are the first in the Miami Valley to require drug testing of all students, but they follow the direction of a handful of other private high schools in the state. As the law currently stands, public schools can only require testing of students involved in extra-curricular activities.
RELATED: Covington schools students to be drug tested
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