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 - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom