BEATRICE – A few years ago, Beatrice Public School implemented a drug testing policy for students involved in activities and athletics. Now, school officials are wondering if it’s worth continuing.


BHS Athletic and Activities Director Gus Brown says in the two years he’s been with the district, only a few positive drug tests have been registered.
"I don't know if it's a deterrent, or what. We're spending about four or five thousand dollars a year on random drug testing, and in my two years here, we have had four test positive...and the interesting thing about those, two were not even involved in activities. So, the way the policy is written is that when they come in and are involved in activities, they have to sign a sheet of paper consenting that they are going to be tested."


School Board member Charles Riedesul wonders whether it’s worth keeping the program. He says eliminating it may also be a statement of trust by the district that students are doing the right thing.


Brown says he surveyed Trailblazer Conference Schools. Three of them, including Beatrice…have drug-testing policies and Crete Public is just starting one. Brown says whether the program is worth having is a school board policy matter.


"One or two students a year....for the four or five thousand dollars spent...it's five-hundred dollars every time they come in....$50 per student. It's the same across-the-board. I visited with Wahoo and Plattsmouth. Wahoo is the same, they get only about two students a year (testing positive). Plattsmouth has not had a kid test positive since 2015."


No decision yet from Beatrice School Board members on the drug testing policy, but it’s likely to come to the board during an upcoming meeting. Officials discussed it at the committee-level, Thursday night.


BPS has worked with an Indiana firm that does the drug testing. Fairbury Public Schools ended their drug testing program about three years ago. BPS tests about ten students per month who are involved in athletics and activities.


A student who is in the testing pool, but no longer participates in sports or activities, has to fill out paperwork to be taken out of the testing pool.
Brown says schools that have ended their testing policies have not seen an increase in drug use among sports or activities students.