Las Vegas NowGreen Valley High School Starts Drug Testing

Green Valley High School Starts Drug Testing

Ten student athletes were tested randomly for drug abuse Monday at Green Valley High School. It's the start of a new policy the high school has implemented.  

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Green Valley High School is the first and only school in the state to start this random drug testing. The principal explained how it works -- and why it's being done.

Football fields are where high school memories are made. But it's what happens off the field that has changed things on campus for students at Green Valley High School.

"There's a lot of drugs going around," said Jordan Abolafia, a student.

Sarah Derrico, another student said, "Half and half -- some will do it, some will stay clean."

And that's what Green Valley High School principal Jeff Horn wants -- his students to stay clean. Monday was the high school's first day of random drug testing.

"We called ten students today," said Horn. "They came out of class, filled out the paper work and did their thing and went back to class."

Horn explains how it works. "It's a urine test, split sample. One part is held back in case they want to counter the results and that split sample can be tested by the parent's choice."

If a student athlete tests positive, there is counseling available for them, and they do face the chances of being suspended from their sport of choice for two to six weeks.

"We have counseling in place and the small price they pay in the athletic suspension is very small compared to turning around some kids who are in trouble," said Horn.

Students were not the only ones who were tested. Principal Horn was also tested with the first ten students. And his support of this random testing is more than just because he is a principal watching out for his students.

"I have a daughter who goes here, and she is in the random pool," he said.

If a parent want their child tested, who is not a student athlete, they can let the administrators know, and they will be added to the random pool list.