Pubdate: Tue, 31 Dec 2002 Source: Visalia Times-Delta, The (CA) Contact: 2002 The Visalia Times-Delta. Website: http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2759 Author: Shawn Brouwer Note: Shawn Brouwer is a senior at Mt. Whitney High School. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) DRUG TESTING WON'T WORK Picture this. Johnny, a straight-A student and captain of the chess club, is sitting in calculus class one day when a high-school administrator enters the room. The administrator says he'd like to speak with Johnny. Not having much choice in the matter, Johnny goes to the nurse's office - where the young scholar is informed that he is to be drug-tested. The problem with this situation is that Johnny doesn't play sports. He is only involved with the chess club. So, why is Johnny being drug-tested? According to a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June, Johnny's high school has the right to drug-test any student involved in competitive after-school activities or teams such as the chess club or mock-trial team. But the court is wrong. First of all, drug-testing by schools is not a solution to the drug problem, it is just a Band-Aid to stop the bleeding for a short time. I cite the practice of drug-testing athletes, which has been done for years in the Visalia Unified School District. I have overheard numerous athletes claim that random drug-testing causes them to stop using drugs - but only while the sport they play is in competition. Once their sport season is over, it is back to "hitting the pipe." The only thing drug-testing prevents is education in the classroom. When an administrator calls a student to the nurse's office in person, or by a pass, it distracts other students. Another problem with drug-testing students involved in extracurricular activities is that attendance in these programs will decline. Tests will scare off students who may want to be involved. I was under the impression that after-school programs were meant to keep kids off the streets and off drugs - not push students away. A drug-testing policy such as this would also cost money that could be spent elsewhere. Instead of using money for drug-testing, schools should create programs to educate students on the dangers and consequences of drug use. In the long run, education would be a more effective way in getting rid of the drug problem. The Supreme Court's decision on drug-testing students involved in competitive, extracurricular activities has good intentions. But random drug-testing isn't the answer to getting kids to stop "doping up."