Chapin High School is waging a drug war—but not the kind that is reason for fear and shock. Principal Akil Ross announced this school year CHS will attempt to rid drugs from the community, and he emphasized this by conducting a drug search the first day of school.

Although many students agree with Ross’s mission, others question whether the school has an actual drug problem.

“I think Mr. Ross is overreacting. If the school were doing that bad with drugs, then the test scores would be bad and we would not be one of the best schools in the nation,” junior Matthew Duggan said.

Ross believes that makes the problem even more significant.

“Here, we have maybe one fourth of the drugs that other schools have. And yet, it’s an epidemic because we are supposed to be better than those schools,” Ross said.

Some students feel that the school is too worried about their reputation.

“The problem isn’t the drugs. The problem is that our school is supposed to be perfect. When everyone believes we’re potheads, we don’t look so perfect anymore,” junior Zack Moorer said.

Junior Jack Hubbs thinks the school is overstepping their role.

“What we do with our time isn’t their business. They shouldn’t be allowed to control us,” Hubbs said.

Senior Shawna Blankenship disagrees.

“Drugs are bad no matter where they are, but when kids bring them to school it’s the schools responsibility to get rid of them,” Blankenship said.

Ross’s goal is to win more support from students.

“People know who is doing it. They’re just afraid to tell. I need to get information flowing,” he said.

Most students say they keep tight lips not because of fear but out of loyalty to friends.

“I wouldn’t tell on one of my friends. I would try to help them but I wouldn’t risk ruining their life by telling on them,” junior Grant Vincent said.

The staff of CHS insist they are not out to ruin lives.

“We’ve seen a growing increase in drug use and how it can have negative effects on your potential and future. We’re trying to help students because we care about them, not because we want to hurt them,” librarian Lisa Wilkins said.

Ross hopes that soon this will not be his mission but the community’s mission.

“I cannot rid Chapin High School of any drugs until we rid the community of drugs. If it’s in this community it’s going to be in our school. Our motto is ‘We aRe Chapin.’ I’m using that to address the issue,” Ross said.

He aims to make parents more involved and to create an environment where students are not scared to get help. There will be more dog searches than ever before and several new policies and strategies that will soon be announced.

“Any drugs are a problem.  It doesn’t matter how much. Students should want to help each other, and that doesn’t mean ignoring it when you see it. If we don’t help now some people will never get help,” freshman Michael McVey said.

Ross knows he will not eradicate drugs completely, but he still feels it is a battle worth fighting.

“You can’t beat drugs, but you can run them out. That’s only going to happen through a team effort.”