PERRYSBURG – In 2009, a student drug-testing program was implemented by Perrysburg Schools for athletes
in the junior high and high school to give them another reason to say "no." This policy has
since served as a model for districts around the country.
More recently, Perrysburg Schools was selected in January as the regional kickoff site for the governor’s
anti-drug initiative, Start Talking. In March, the district hosted a well-attended public event for
parents and students that focused on stopping teenage drinking. The presenters were Cindy and Brian
Hoeflinger, who lost their son, Brian, at age 18 in an alcohol-related car accident.
As a continuation of the prevention programs currently in place, the district will be adding a random
breathalyzer test at selected home sporting events, including football games, this school year. These
tests have been administered regularly at school dances for the past few years.
"We strive to do all we can to keep children safe," said Superintendent Thomas L. Hosler.
"Like with our drug-testing program, this random test is provided so that students have another
reason to say ‘no’ to drinking alcohol."
All students will enter the stadium through the pass gate at the Jacket Dome and proceed to the west
gates near the yellow shed.
At that entrance students will select an object, like a chip or stick, from a container.
The majority will be blank but some will have a mark to indicate that they will take the test. That
student will be moved out of the way and the breath test will be administered.
"We believe that students will test negative for alcohol. If not, parents will be notified and a
disciplinary process will begin," said Dr. Michael Short, Perrysburg High School principal.
"Our goal is not to catch kids, but to give them an opportunity to tell their peers that they will
not drink. This should be considered a tool for them to just say, ‘no.’ In the several years that we
have been doing this at dances, we have not had anyone test positive."