IS DRUG TESTING IN SCHOOLS ACCOMPLISHING THE OBJECTIVE

Regarding your May 20 article "Steps toward more drug testing in
school": The Bush administration's support for random student drug
testing is unfounded. While we share the White House's concern
regarding alcohol and substance abuse among young people, the
enactment of student drug testing in public schools without probable
cause is ineffective, costly, and opens a Pandora's box of serious
ethical questions.

Random drug testing of students is a humiliating, invasive practice
that runs contrary to the principles of due process. It compels teens
to submit evidence against themselves and forfeit their privacy rights
as a necessary requirement for attending school.

Rather than presuming our school children innocent of illicit
activity, random drug testing presumes them guilty until they prove
themselves innocent. Is this truly the message our society wishes to
send America's young people?

Paul Armentano

Senior Policy Analyst

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Washington