GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Greenwood County District 50 school board is looking at a new drug-testing policy for high school athletes and all students who drive to campus.

Greenwood County district 50 officials began discussing drug and alcohol tests for students this week.

The random tests would only apply to high school students who participate in extracurricular activities or drive to school.

If the students fail, they would have to sit out of games or other activities, but their academic status wouldn’t be affected.

Wesley Noffz has a daughter at a high school in Greenwood County District 50, who plays softball.

“I hope it will scare them into not doing drugs but if that’s what it takes to keep our kids off drugs, I’m all for it,” said Noffz.

He says he’s glad the district is looking at ways, to cut back drug and alcohol use for students. But he would prefer a plan that would apply to all students.

“That would be fine, as long as they do everybody, you know, as long as its random for the whole school,” added Noffz.

Right now, Greenwood County District 50 officials say it’s just an idea. They’re just looking at policy options that have been successful in other counties.

7 on your side checked with several districts in the upstate, to find out who else is testing students.

Anderson County District 5 and Spartanburg County District 5 both use a similar drug testing plans.

Spartanburg says so far, their policy has proven to be “extremely successful” and only a handful of students have failed the tests. Their district officials say their plan is for their athletes and is meant to deter students, rather than punish them from drug use.

7 on your side checked and found out Spartanburg District 5 spent around 2,600 dollars on the tests this year. District officials say their goal is to give about 80 random tests a year.

Anderson county district 5 only began their program last year. They say since then, they’ve only had 3 students fail the drug test. The district officials say their drug tests cost about $5,000 per school.

In both the Spartanburg and Anderson districts that use the policy, if students fail the drug tests, have to sit out on activities and they receive guidance counseling or an “intervention plan.” If students

Other districts, including Greenville county and Greenwood District 52 tell WSPA, they’ve considered drug testing. The plans didn’t work, because of cost, planning or lack of need in their counties.