Pubdate: Fri, 29 Mar 2002
Source: Gaston Gazette, The (NC)
Copyright: 2002 The Gaston Gazette
Contact:  http://www.gast-gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1702
Author: San Francisco Chronicle
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ROUNDING UP ALL JUST TO FIND THE FEW

Take a look around your local high school. That cheerleader, the head of 
the chorus, or that member of the debate club: Isn't it time the kids in 
after-school activities were drug tested?

If this approach sounds crazy, then you should be worried about a case 
before the U.S. Supreme Court. An Oklahoma school district wants to test 
all students in competitive extracurricular groups in the name of stamping 
out drugs.

Never mind that such activities attract students who are far less likely to 
be dopers. Don't dwell on the dehumanizing effects of urine testing of 
youngsters. Forget the mad-rush mentality to rein in a problem that may not 
exist.

In broader terms, the wholesale drug testing goes against the notion of 
individual rights. The Fourth Amendment bars unreasonable searches and 
seizures, and the high school drug tests surely fail this test. According 
to the proposed policy, it's not the groggy, red-eyed kid who should be 
examined, it's everyone in the school band.

Equally disturbing was the pro-testing mindset of the high court shown 
during oral arguments last week. The justices asked: With drug use rising, 
shouldn't a school board be allowed a free hand?

A prior high court ruling allowed drug screening for athletes, and testing 
other kids in after-school activities wasn't any different, several 
justices suggested. Besides, high school students are minors, not entitled 
to adult privacy rights, it was argued.

If a majority of the Supreme Court agrees with these contentions, it could 
have dangerous consequences.

In the name of drugs - or possibly other objectionable activities - schools 
can round up everyone to find the few.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager