Students who want to participate in clubs, academic or athletic teams, or who just want to park on campus will be subject to random drug screening if the Polk County Board of Education approves a new policy that was tabled on Tuesday.

The intent of the new policy will be to prevent student drug use and provide better options for the district to handle those found with a substance abuse problem. If approved, the new policy will go into effect for the 2020-21 academic year.

Board of Education members voted Tuesday to place the policy on the table for a month for review, and will return to a final vote in June.

Superintendent Laurie Atkins said the district’s goal is to avoid punishing students who might have substance abuse issues, and question whether using drugs is worth missing out on opportunities for fulfillment in student life on campus.

“If we can delay the onset of drug use, abuse or lessen the frequency, we are making a difference in diminishing the risk of addiction for students,” Atkins said.

Intervention efforts in the policy include counseling and parental involvement with treatment options thanks to the district’s partnership with Willowbrooke at Tanner. Polk School District Police would only become involved if a student is found to be in possession of any substance that is meant for use, sale or distribution on school grounds.

One board member believes the policy will be of help to the district and people across the county.

“I am proud of the new Drug Policy because of the position of compassion it takes toward those students who are found to have randomly been selected and tested positive. The policy dictates an ability for that student to receive help and in turn hoping to keep it from having progressed to lifelong addiction. PSD is tasked with keeping our students safe and helping produce productive citizens and families,” Board Member Britt Madden said. “This policy is designed to do just that by taking steps to help our students now before negatively impacting generations to come.”