Pubdate: Fri, 05 Apr 2002
Source: The Post and Courier (SC)
Copyright: 2002 Evening Post Publishing Co
Contact:   http://www.charleston.net/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/567
Author: Caroline Marino

MANDATORY DRUG TESTS

According to Debra Saunders, parents "shouldn't expect schools to do their 
dirty work for them" by mandating drug testing for students wishing to 
participate in extra-curricular activities. While I think adherence to the 
Constitution is what allows our country to thrive through changing times, I 
also balk at the implication Saunders makes that the individual's right to 
choose to do drugs ought to pre-empt a teacher's responsibility to 
facilitate a scintillating and productive educational atmosphere. Let's not 
forget that the majority of high school students are legal minors whose 
well-being is entrusted to adults - parents and teachers.

I hardly think that making a mandatory drug test for minors (who shouldn't 
be doing drugs in the first place) is an infringement on their 
constitutional rights. Students who do drugs have neither the right to be 
doing them in the first place nor the right to endanger the learning 
potential of their fellow classmates through their risky behavior. The 
primary objective of educators is ... education.

Let's just say that at best, it is difficult to promote an academically 
enriching environment if teachers must combat drug usage.

Before we decide to claim injustice for requiring drug testing for minors, 
we should recall that employers can require drug tests for potential employees.

Shouldn't teachers be allowed to expect a healthy "working" environment the 
same as any other professional? I certainly wish there wasn't a need for 
drug testing, but as a former NCAA Division I athlete who had to submit to 
random drug testing (i.e., testing done without probable cause) and as a 
current educator, I do think that we have a social obligation to our youth 
- - our nation's future - to hold them accountable for behavior that is 
dangerous and unacceptable. Heaven forbid that we challenge our youth to 
make good, healthy, life-promoting decisions, by teaching them that 
"rights" go hand in hand with responsibility.

CAROLINE MARINO

Junior High Teacher

Nativity School
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MAP posted-by: Beth