Botetourt County Public Schools reinstated random student drug testing

Students in Botetourt County could be subject to a random drug test. (James Yarema/Unsplash)

By Amie Knowles

August 28, 2025

A previously paused policy is back in Botetourt—here’s what it means for students signing up for extracurriculars and parking permits.

Following a four-year hiatus, the Botetourt County Public Schools (BCPS) division recently reinstated random student drug testing.

The BCPS Random Drug Testing Policy applies to students:

In grades 6-12
Requesting a parking permit
Participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities

According to the policy on BoardDocs, random drug tests will take place a minimum of two times in the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Tests can occur any time during a student’s participatory extracurricular season, including any post-season events.

The sample size for the random drug tests will include 10% of the student population that falls under the guidelines. Participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities—as well as applying for parking permits—is on a voluntary basis.

Samples will be analyzed for alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, controlled substances, and performance-enhancing substances.

First positive test consequences include:

14-day removal from all competitions
14-day loss of parking privilege
Mandatory participation in the Student Assistance and Prevention Program

Second positive test consequences include:

60-day suspension from all tryouts, practices, games
60-day loss of parking privilege
Loss of leadership roles
Mandatory participation in a therapeutic program

Third positive test consequences include:

365-day suspension for all school-sponsored extracurricular activities
Loss of parking privilege

Students on prescriptions may show proof if a false positive occurs.

“This initiative is part of a broader effort to maintain a learning environment free from illegal drugs, alcohol, and performance-enhancing substances,” according to the introduction found in Botetourt County Public Schools Random Drug Testing Policy dated June 2025.

Related: Statewide cellphone ban in Virginia classrooms

Amie Knowles

Amie Knowles is Dogwood's newsletter editor. She has been in journalism for several years, winning multiple awards from the Virginia Press Association for news and feature content. A lifelong Virginia resident, her work has appeared in the Martinsville Bulletin, Danville Register & Bee, and NWNC Magazine.

Have a story tip? Reach Amie at [email protected]. For local reporting in Virginia that connects the dots, from policy to people, sign up for Amie’s newsletter.

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CATEGORIES: EDUCATION

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