Huntley High might start drug testing in spring

Random drug and alcohol testing for students in extracurricular activities at Huntley High School could begin in the spring semester and cost the district as much as $135,000 per school year.

No action was taken at the board's committee of the whole meeting Thursday, but district officials said they plan to implement the drug and alcohol policy once parents and students have received ample information about the policies and procedures.

The district approved the idea in February and, once it's implemented, will be the first in McHenry County to conduct random drug and alcohol testing.

"Our main focus right now is to communicate with and educate the community," said Terry Awrey, the district's associate superintendent.

Students participating in activities that are competitive, performance or service in nature will be subject to a random testing.

Awrey said the policy will affect about 1,000 students participating in 30 activities. It is estimated that 10 percent of those students will be subject to testing per month during the school year.

Board members said they supported the use of a combination of tests that screen for recreational drugs such as methamphetamines, as well as performance-enhancing drugs and masking agents.

The cost of each test, which will be administered by Centegra Health System, will be $150.

"We need to take a stand, bite the bullet," school board President Shawn Green said. "This is too important. There's too much of a disease that is sweeping through sports. ... It's only going to get worse if kids think they need to do this to excel or get to the next level."

The Illinois High School Association conducts random screenings for teams that advance to the postseason.

Testing: 10 percent of students in activities would be tested each month