ANOTHER ATTACK ON LIBERTIES

Though the courts have ruled that the N.J. constitution does not bar schools
from randomly drug testing public school students who participate in
extracurricular activities, that still doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Sure, the 2-1 decision by the appeals court allows Hunterdon Central
Regional High School in the Flemington area to reinstate a drug- testing
program. But what do we gain or lose from this?

And more ominously, where are we headed?

What we gain is some peace of mind for school officials, who have one less
thing to worry about in, for example, their sports programs.

But it is precisely the kids who are most tempted by drugs who need more
options for extracurricular activities, not fewer.

And where it might be leading us is to a time when we hold up everything -
from our employment resume to our personal habits - for the examination of
authority.

Already, society is trying to balance civil liberties against security from
terrorists, and already, civil liberties are losing ground daily. How much
worse will it be once an entire generation grows accustomed to handing over
its bodily fluids upon request - and not even to their parents, but to any
faceless figure of authority?

Even though they're not accused of anything.

Even though they've exhibited no symptoms of intoxication.

Even though we're just talking about drug use, not terrorism.

How much worse will things be when an entire generation grows up with the
idea that - not even because a specific crime is thought to have been
committed, but rather by random designation - people are guilty until a lab
test proves them innocent?

The appeals court may be comfortable with that idea. But the rest of us
should be feeling uneasy.