Pubdate: Mon, 01 Apr 2002
Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX)
Copyright: 2002 The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Contact:  http://www.lubbockonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/841

DRUG TESTS

SOME U.S. SUPREME COURT justices appeared - during questioning about a case 
involving drug-testing by an Oklahoma school district - to be open to the 
idea of random drug-testing for students who are involved in 
extracurricular activities.

It would be fine with us if the high court, which will probably rule on the 
issue this summer, will allow random tests for students who choose to 
become involved with extracurricular activities. That has been our position 
for years.

Locally, we have seen the challenge to a drug-testing policy by the Lockney 
Independent School District, which ended with a ruling by U.S. District 
Judge Sam Cummings that the policy was unconstitutional. The Lockney school 
district decided not to appeal the ruling and went back to its old policy 
of testing where reason for suspicion, such as erratic behavior consistent 
with drug or alcohol impairment, exists.

The Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that schools may randomly test athletes for 
drugs, using the reasoning that students who routinely strip naked in front 
of others in a locker room have a lower expectation of privacy.

It is hard to argue with that, and student athletes are also going to be 
more likely to be using drugs than are, say, students who are in the Chess 
Club.

However, it does not answer the next obvious question - whether random 
drug-testing is warranted for students in the band, choir, debate club and 
other school activities, where students keep their clothes on throughout 
the school day.

Tests would be a deterrent

We are pleased that the Supreme Court is hearing the case. We believe it is 
one that needs to be decided as soon as possible.

The problem of drug use by students is very serious one that does not 
appear to be improving in our nation. Random drug tests would obviously be 
a deterrent to drug use by students. They also would provide a good excuse 
to students who do not want to experiment with drugs but have a hard time 
resisting peer pressure.

Parents also stand to benefit from student drug-testing. If their children 
develop substance-abuse problems, it is something that parents very much 
need to know. For that reason, we support parent- requested drug testing, 
which the Lubbock Independent School District conducts. If parents have 
reason to believe their children have a problem, they are wise to have them 
tested.

A majority of high school students participate in extra-curricular 
activities, but the decision to do so is a voluntary one. But if they so 
choose, should they have to give up privacy to do it? It is a key question.

We are a nation that is very serious about our freedoms. They are precious, 
and anything that can be considered a challenge to them must be carefully 
examined. It is good that the high court soon will be giving us an answer.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens