Pubdate: Wed, 03 Aug 2005
Source: Patriot-News, The (PA)
Copyright: 2005 The Patriot-News
Contact:  http://www.patriot-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1630
Author: Sarah Douglas
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

DRUG TESTS INVASIVE

I am deeply concerned that schools are planning to run random drug tests on 
students involved in extracurricular activities in local schools. Not only 
does this new policy seem redundant, but it violates the rights and privacy 
of students.

While random drug screening may be necessary for those students involved in 
sports, testing students involved in the math or science clubs are not 
generally a threat for drug use. It is always a concern for schools that 
their athletes may turn to enhancement drugs, such as steroids, to keep 
with the demands of their chosen sport.

I do not feel that students on the debate team are at high risk for taking 
drugs. To think that students with enough sense to join these academic 
clubs would consider ruining their future by taking drugs is ridiculous. 
Perhaps this makes me naive, but I feel that these students are the least 
likely to take drugs out of the entire school.

If schools are willing to put so much of needed funds into random drug 
screening, why can't they provide better books, more choices of classes, 
scholarships, or even more after school activities. What I find most 
amusing is that schools want to cut after-school activities, cancel special 
classes and assemblies, and cut teacher's wages, but they are happy to 
spend money on a witch hunt.

- -- SARAH DOUGLAS

Mechanicsburg 
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MAP posted-by: Beth