Edmond Public Schools will soon begin random drug tests for high school students who participate in extracurricular activities.

The district chose this group of students, instead of a broader approach, for two main reasons, said Jason Brown, the district's executive director of secondary education.

For one, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled schools can drug-test students who participate in extracurricular activities. Secondly, Brown said, these students are leaders and are held to a higher standard.

“It's a privilege, but with that privilege comes a heightened responsibility,” Brown said. “Obviously, they're going to be looked at as role models and school leaders, and so with that heightened responsibility, we feel they have that responsibility to remain drug- and alcohol-free.”