DESPITE RULING, SCHOOL POLICY ON DRUG TESTS ILL-CONCEIVED

Thanks to an Appellate Court ruling this week, Hunterdon Central Regional
High School officials have regained the lead in their quest to continue
random drug-testing at the school.

But this issue could be destined for the state Supreme Court.

Here's hoping it makes it that far, because it appears the courts are the
only ones that can stop the district from pushing forward with a bad policy.

While the dispute continues to be over the legalities of the testing, our
concern is simply with the wisdom of it. There has yet to be any
demonstrated need for it at Hunterdon Central -- something a Superior Court
judge cited in opposing the testing. That was the ruling overturned by the
Appellate Court. And the potential student targets of the testing are
rather arbitrarily defined: those involved in extracurricular activities or
who park cars on campus. What about the rest of the students? If there is a
problem that needs to be stamped out or prevented, why not everyone?

There are better ways to attack this issue. The school's old policy would
initiate testing when reasonable suspicion existed. With proper
application, that is a preferable approach. Other constructive programs and
preventive measures could also help identify users and prevent other
students from taking the plunge. Parental responsibility remains the best
weapon against student drug use.

Whether or not students' rights are being constitutionally violated, random
drug-testing of teenagers is still troublesome. That may help explain why
there are still so few schools in the state -- less than a dozen -- that
have tried it. School officials are already plotting the reintroduction of
the tests. A legal victory for the district this week -- but a miss
nonetheless.