Pubdate: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 Source: Topeka Capital-Journal (KS) Copyright: 2000 The Topeka Capital-Journal Contact: 616 S.E. Jefferson, Topeka, Kansas 66607 Website: http://cjonline.com/ STUDY HARD ON THIS ONE Silver Lake is acting prudently by taking its time to study whether drug testing is warranted. Unlike with most tests in school, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to drug tests and whether high schools should subject their students to them. Silver Lake School District is considering joining a handful of Kansas school districts that test athletes and students in other extracurricular activities, after several hypodermic needles were found in the boys' locker room two weeks ago. The district appears to be taking a deliberate approach to the issue, which is wise. A kneejerk reaction by the district would risk implementation of a policy that's legally questionable. The risk, too, is for an overreaction. The district is going to study alternatives for a year. In the meantime, it will step up efforts to steer young athletes away from steroids, which the needles might have been used to inject. A decision on whether to search students' bodies through drug tests needs to be approached with the utmost caution. It is a serious intrusion into one's privacy that is easily and quite often challenged in court. And that's not to mention how costly an endeavor it can be. So far, however, the district is acting prudently by doing what any student does before a big test. Studying. - --- MAP posted-by: John Chase