DISTASTEFUL - AND NOW ILLEGAL

There is no question that drug use during pregnancy presents a danger to
the unborn child. Still, the notion of testing women against their will and
arresting them in their hospital beds shortly after they give birth is
distasteful.

The practice is also unconstitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this
week. In administering the tests and turning the results over to the
police, a South Carolina public hospital violated the Fourth Amendment
prohibition against unjust searches, the court said.

No doubt the practice was begun with the best of intentions. Still, forced
drug tests for the purpose of gaining evidence to arrest new mothers should
give pause to even the most dedicated anti-drug warrior.