ROYAL OAK, Mich. -- A new drug testing system could soon take place in Royal Oak starting in September.

Superintendent Thomas Moline took the proposal to the school board that will allow voluntary and random drug testing for students as young as 11 years old.

Moline said nobody can predict who's going to use drugs and he wants to include middle school and elementary school students.

Parents and members of the community will have an opportunity to ask questions and speak out at a forum on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.

Moline said it is part of the Save Our Youth Task Force, which was formed after three heroin-related deaths in Royal Oak, Birmingham and Madison Heights in 2005.

"Our kids are the most precious things we have in our lives and to lose one, to have one die certainly brings it dramatically home," said Kirk Goddard, whose son died of an overdose.

Under the proposal, parents of children in grades 6 through 12 would get a letter explaining how testing works. Parents would then discuss how testing works and they would have to sign a consent form.

Once the school receives the consent form, the student would be randomly tested during lunch, or before and after school.

It will cost $40, but the district will pay for it.

The American Civil Liberties Union said drug testing is a violation of people's rights.

A similar program is under way in California.

Tuesday's meeting is open to the public.

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