BROAD DRUG TESTING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS HARMFUL

Observers of the U.S. Supreme Court say they believe the court is about
ready to allow greatly expanded drug testing in this country's public schools.

One hopes the justices will see the folly of the idea and rule against it.
But if they allow the testing, one can only hope that Hawai'i will not jump
on the drug-testing bandwagon.

This is not about disciplining or even expelling children who use drugs.
What is at issue is whether schools can subject large segments of the
student body to random and routine drug tests. The high court has already
upheld an Oregon law that required athletes to submit to drug testing in
order to participate in team sports.

The current case involves an Oklahoma school that demanded random drug
tests for any student involved in any after-school program, from chess and
Future Farmers through the school newspaper.

The irony of such a program is that it targets those students most likely
not to be using drugs. The druggies tend to be those who drop out of
organized activities.

And it sends a message to the joiners, the active kids: You are under
suspicion and you have left your constitutional rights at the classroom
door. Your only way to avoid this intrusive testing is to drop out, don't
participate.

This is hardly the message we should be sending to our kids.