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Worland Middle School and Worland High School students will see a change in the district’s policy on illicit drug use after the school board approved the changes on the third reading at Monday’s meeting.

Students who participate in extracurricular activities will be subject to random testing for illicit substances beginning the 2015 – 2016 school year.

The policy is in response to self-reporting surveys which indicate Worland High School and Middle School students are using illicit substances including heroin. More than 30 percent of Worland High School seniors reported using heroin in the 2013 self-reporting survey.

During the 2013 survey, Worland High School seniors led the state in lifetime cocaine use at 11 percent, with 5 percent having used the narcotic within the past 30 days.

The survey also concluded that WHS 12th graders far outpaced the state in misuse of prescription drugs in their lifetime at 27 percent. The state average is 13 percent.

At a February public meeting, local law enforcement advised the Worland community that there is a rampant drug problem in the area.

“It’s here — and very prevalent,” Washakie County Sheriff Steve Rakness said at the meeting.

At the meeting, Rakness advised attendees that, “People from Colorado are marketing everything imaginable to your kids.”

WCSD No. 1 Activities Director Bruce Miller told attendees that he thought he’d never have to have the conversation regarding drug use in local schools.

“This isn’t a conversation I wanted to have, and I didn’t think we would ever need to have it. Go talk to your kids, it’s scary,” said Miller.

Parents whose students do not participate in extracurricular activities may opt their children into the program. Parents of sixth graders may also opt their children in if they choose.

Students in grades 6 – 8 would be subject to a mouth swab test for illicit substances with students in grades 9 – 12 subject to testing through hair follicles and urinalysis.

No positive tests will be reported to law enforcement unless a subpoena is issued or other legal action taken.

Students who test positive will be ineligible for 20 percent of the regular season activity with students eligible for practice three days following a positive test, according to district documents.

District documents also state, “(A student who tests positive) shall be working toward successful completion or have completed an eight-hour class with a counselor with the Washakie County Youth Alternatives coordinator at the student’s expense, if any, before he or she may represent his or her school in a competitive sport or activity.”

A negative test result must be provided before a student may represent the school in an activity. Students will also be subject to at least four drug tests over four months.

A second positive test carries similar stipulations, but students will be ineligible for 50 percent of the activity’s season. With a second positive test, written proof of an alcohol or drug evaluation by a licensed counselor must be provided and a follow-through of with the recommended drug assistance plan must be provided.

Upon a third positive test, students will be ineligible for participation in extracurricular activities for the remainder of their careers at WCSD No. 1. Students testing positive for a third time will have an appeal one calendar year after the first day of suspension.

Worland High School Principal Kevin Smith said, “We’ll move forward now and begin enforcing the policy starting this fall. Any new policy is subject to change.” He added that the policy is about preventing students from making bad choices and is in no way punitive.

“It’s about students first.”