Lacey Township is poised to be the state's 19th school district to implement random drug testing for its high school students.

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The board of education will be formally introducing the policy October 21st and an official vote will take place November 18th. The policy would implement random testing for any student who participates in a school sport, an extracurricular activity, has a parking pass, or opts in voluntarily.

Acting Superintendent Vanessa Clark says the goal of the policy is prevention, not punishment.

"And providing a means for the early detection for students with drug problems, so that the school district is able to provide referrals for evaluation or treatment," Clark explained.

Ocean County has been fighting a heroine epidemic, and Clark says the Lacey School Board has been discussing the issue for some time now. They've held several open forums to hear from parents and community members.

Clark says if the policy passes, it will be enacted right away.

"Usually winter sports start the end of November or beginning of December. The plan is, once it's approved, to implement it then, rather than waiting for the 2014-2015 school year."

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