Pubdate: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS) Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805 Author: James D. Stewart Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) RANDOM DRUG TESTS ON STUDENTS UNWISE I am somewhat surprised by Madison's decision to randomly test all students in extracurricular activities for drug use. According to most research on the subject, random testing has a negligible impact on drug use. Further, these tests are expensive, averaging $40 per test - - in a state where many districts cannot provide adequate class supplies. Further, the error rate on urine tests varies widely according to the lab in question. In today's legal climate, this will lead to innumerable lawsuits over false positive results. In the end, these tests can be humiliating to students and do little good. It is, therefore, a poor use of public money. James D. Stewart Dept. of History and Political Science Mississippi College Clinton - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk