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. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens