Pubdate: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 Source: Courier-Post (NJ) Copyright: 2002 Courier-Post Contact: http://www.courierpostonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/826 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) ANOTHER ATTACK ON LIBERTIES Though the courts have ruled that the N.J. constitution does not bar schools from randomly drug testing public school students who participate in extracurricular activities, that still doesn't mean it's a good idea. Sure, the 2-1 decision by the appeals court allows Hunterdon Central Regional High School in the Flemington area to reinstate a drug- testing program. But what do we gain or lose from this? And more ominously, where are we headed? What we gain is some peace of mind for school officials, who have one less thing to worry about in, for example, their sports programs. But it is precisely the kids who are most tempted by drugs who need more options for extracurricular activities, not fewer. And where it might be leading us is to a time when we hold up everything - from our employment resume to our personal habits - for the examination of authority. Already, society is trying to balance civil liberties against security from terrorists, and already, civil liberties are losing ground daily. How much worse will it be once an entire generation grows accustomed to handing over its bodily fluids upon request - and not even to their parents, but to any faceless figure of authority? Even though they're not accused of anything. Even though they've exhibited no symptoms of intoxication. Even though we're just talking about drug use, not terrorism. How much worse will things be when an entire generation grows up with the idea that - not even because a specific crime is thought to have been committed, but rather by random designation - people are guilty until a lab test proves them innocent? The appeals court may be comfortable with that idea. But the rest of us should be feeling uneasy. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh