DRUG-TESTING OF ATHLETES SHOWING GOOD RESULTS

It took courage for Grand Blanc High School to lead the state in
drug-testing of athletes, and the decision to continue the tests for a
third year indicates the school is not weakening its resolve.

It could be tempted to back down. The American Civil Liberties Union is
suing on behalf of a former student, who claims the policy of randomly
searching all student athletes violates constitutional freedom from
unreasonable search and seizure. Other districts are steering clear of the
policy, which is costly and involves lots of paperwork.

But the program also is showing benefits. Of 284 athletes tested in the
1999-2000 school year, only one showed positive, just as one tested
positive the year before. That record poses quite a contrast to a Western
Michigan University survey reporting that 35.7 percent of all Grand Blanc
seniors in 1999, and 46.9 percent in 2000, admitted marijuana use, although
sophomores surveyed reported a decline in using that drug. If the WMU
survey is even roughly valid, Grand Blanc student athletes must be engaging
in drug use considerably less than their untested classmates.

Although the policy is strict, it is not unreasonably punitive. One
positive test result does not end athletic participation, but the student
in question must be re-tested weekly for six weeks. A second positive
result would eliminate him from the team. Meanwhile, although parents are
notified of a positive test, the team and coach are not.

If the school loses the ACLU lawsuit, which is pending in Genesee Circuit
Court, its fault will have been to have cared too much about the health of
students. There are risks involved in taking part in football, basketball,
hockey, competitive swimming or some other sport, which drug use could add
to. The school, as organizer of the sports, is trying to hold dangers to a
minimum.

Sports can help develop physical skill and character. They are a cause for
pride and pleasure, and can open social opportunities. But sports are
extracurricular and optional, so the school should be able to set standards
for who may participate, as long it treats all students equally.

Grand Blanc seems to be meeting the fairness test, and stepping up to its
duty to protect students at the same time.