DALTON, Ga. — Following high-profile citations for marijuana by two Dalton High School football players the week before the state semifinals and other arrests for prescription drug distribution recently at the high school, members of the Dalton school board heard a plan Monday night to have all high school students involved in extracurricular activities undergo drug testing.

Chief Administrative Officer Craig Harper said the plan could be ready for implementation before the beginning of the 2017-18 school year.

Board Chairman Rick Fromm said the proposal is part of a broader plan that could lead to drug testing of not only students but also employees of the school system.

Dalton High School football coach Matt Land said while he hasn’t been consulted by the administration or the board, he is in favor of drug testing and put forth a proposal for drug testing in 2012.

“Any drug problem is a big drug problem,” Land said. “Any alcohol problem is a big problem. Any tobacco issue is a problem because kids aren’t supposed to be using them and it is illegal. It is our job to help solve a problem, and first you have to identify a problem, so I am in favor of testing and detection. If it is one kid, it is a problem.”

Three DHS students 17 or older were arrested on felony drug charges in January. Other students were placed in suspension or given other disciplinary punishments through the investigation that led to the arrests, according to incident reports at the time.

Fromm said it is an issue the school board members take seriously and are addressing head-on.

“This is not going to be someone else’s problem or someone else’s job,” Fromm said. “It is not a school issue or a culture issue. It is a community issue we need to address.”