PARENTS, NOT SCHOOLS, SHOULD DRUG-TEST CHILDREN

In his State of the Union Address, President Bush announced a $25 million
pilot program to test students for drugs in schools. "The aim here is not
to punish children," he said, "but to send them this message: 'We love you
and we do not want to lose you.' "

To that end, Rep. Marcelo Llorente, R-Miami, has filed a bill in the
Florida Legislature that would require schools, as a condition of
membership in the Florida High School Athletic Association, to randomly
test 5 percent of athletes for performance-enhancing drugs.

Meanwhile, in Polk County, officials are moving ahead with random
drug-testing of student-athletes, having received a $235,000 federal grant
that is burning a hole in their pockets.

While we want our young people to be drug-free, creating a government
program to drug-test students is both expensive and invasive. Random
testing might scare some kids straight, but other methods of prevention
could be more effective and less intrusive.

Hillsborough officials discussed the idea a few years ago and rightfully
backed away. They wrestled with questions about logistics. Who would run
the tests and where would they be administered? Then there's the question
of money, since the program would have cost the county millions.

And what about students who test positive? Participation in organized
athletics is the only reason some teenagers stay in school and off the
streets. And, after a drug user is identified, what is the school's
responsibility to provide treatment and who pays for that?

Studies have shown that random drug-testing does not deter drug use among
high school students. President Bush cited a study showing a decline in
drug usage at schools with testing policies. But that same study showed a
decline in illegal drug use across the board, at schools with and without
drug testing.

It is the responsibility of parents, more than schools, to be watchful of
their children's health and behavior. While some parents may want to
relinquish those duties, others have testified in court that drug- testing
usurps their authority and responsibility for their children.

Only about 5 percent of the approximately 15,000 U.S. school districts
currently drug-test some portion of their students. It is important to note
that major urban school districts have shied away, even though many of
their students live in drug-infested neighborhoods. They are not conceding
defeat, just recognizing the prohibitive cost and effectiveness of
drug-testing.

Instead of squandering precious school funds and possibly discouraging
participation in athletics, schools should invest resources in drug-
prevention programs and after-school activities that keep kids actively
engaged during the peak drug-using hours, 3 to 6 p.m.

That is the best way to keep from losing our children to the streets.