DRUG TESTING: SHOULD SCHOOLS SCREEN STUDENTS

This week we asked our local Voices panel of columnists the following: Do
you support mandatory drug testing in schools?

If students who are involved in extracurricular activities are going to be
tested for drug use, then every student should be tested for drugs. It is
unfair to single out a certain segment of the student population,
especially the ones who are involved in positive activities. Parents need
to find out what their children are doing, legally and illegally; schools
have enough to worry about.

Adonica Jones-Parks, Northside
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When schools make students aware of mandatory drug tests related to
extracurricular activities, those students may choose whether or not to
participate. This does not infringe on any of their rights, and can
actually help to make a safer and healthier school environment.

Matt Byrne, Xavier University
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Random drug testing seems overly invasive and a waste of scarce school
money. Will the teen-ager who smokes a joint at a weekend party need to
avoid going to school? Do the schools have the resources to treat students
turning up positive for drug use? If there are indications of drug use in
certain students, deal with those behaviors appropriately. If not, leave
them alone.

Scott Knox, Clifton
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Absolutely. In a lot of schools only the athletes are being randomly tested
for drugs. In this day and age there are so many activities in schools
besides athletics that all students should be held to the same standard. If
we could ever get full cooperation and interest (that's spelled
responsibility) from each and every parent this would not be a problem in
our schools or work places.. .but that will never happen.

Shirley Seitz, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
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Will these tests help curb drug problems in high schools? Maybe. But I
still think there are some constitutional issues involved.

Karen Olson, Mariemont
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My children are students in the Campbell County System, and I feel that
drug testing is a privacy issue. This right to privacy belongs to every
adult, and because I am the adult responsible for the child, it is my call
whether or not the testing is done, and no one else's. My child is an
extension of myself, in as much as I am responsible for his actions until
the age of 18, and will be treated as such. If they want to test my child,
I had better know about it first, and be on site to supervise the entire
Procedure.

Russell Thomas, Melbourne, Ky.
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No. The primary objective of our school systems is to provide a quality
education to the students. Mandatory drug testing is unrelated to this goal
and is most likely a hindrance.

Kent Vandasall, Columbia Township