Pubdate: Thu, 14 Nov 2002
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2002 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Marco Battaglia-Veldhuis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

TRUSTEES RIGHT TO EYE DRUG TESTS

Re: the editorial Unjustified intrusions (Nov. 5). While drug testing is an 
extreme measure, the board of trustees are entrusted by the public that 
elects them to provide a safe learning environment that is free from drugs. 
In today's society, drugs have become so pervasive that anyone is 
susceptible. The core issue in my opinion is the need for the high school 
to provide a safe environment for the students and discourage recreational 
drug use. Let us not forget the destructive nature of drug use and its 
addictive power. Drugs have a way of influencing people in ways that they 
would not normally behave in. Unfortunately, the problems of recreational 
drug use are not apparent until an accident has taken place. Another false 
premise in the editorial is how school trustees, teachers and 
administrators restrict the lives of the students; how is this different 
than the real world. In the workplace (as in society) we must conduct 
ourselves in a fashion that is deemed appropriate and respectful of our 
laws. Lastly, when it comes to the point of intruding into the private 
lives of students and betraying their trust, we must put this into 
perspective. While it is true that everyone has a right to privacy and 
freedom of lifestyle, do the rights of drug users supersede the rights of 
non-drug users? It would seem that the answer to this question is a 
resounding no.

The school is a drug-free environment and there is no reason why we should 
accommodate the rights of drug-using students. The board of school trustees 
must ensure that the integrity of the school is beyond reproach. If they 
wish to impose a policy that is commensurate with this goal, then we should 
support them.

MARCO BATTAGLIA-VELDHUIS

Winnipeg
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom