You’ve got to hand it to the Southampton County Board of Supervisors for sticking to their guns, even if the ammunition in those weapons has been replaced with cotton balls.

This week, the board, which previously made its opinion clear that they believe school employees should be subjected to random drug testing, once again were thwarted by a nagging problem: The board hasn’t the legal authority to impose such a policy.

No matter, apparently. The board instead will try to influence school officials by demonstrating that an adequately enforced testing policy is good for all taxpayers who place their trust in officials paid with tax dollars.

In short, the board has regrouped.

“I’m an employee of the county, and I am willing to have random drug testing,” Supervisor Ronald West said.

Whether others follow that example remains to be seen.