SCHOOLS' CHOICE: DRUG TESTS WORK FOR SOME, BUT NOT ALL

It's no real surprise that Oklahoma schools haven't rushed to institute drug
testing programs after the U.S. Supreme Court clarified the issue in a
ruling involving the Tecumseh school district a few years ago. As reported
by Elizabeth Camacho Wiley in The Oklahoman on Monday, only a smattering of
districts in the state and across the country test students for drug use.
Many districts stick with testing only student-athletes although others --
thanks to the Tecumseh ruling -- expanded it to include students in other
extracurricular activities.

Drug testing is an example of local control put to good use. Most
districts adopt testing in response to either a real or perceived drug
problem. Even then, it can be such a divisive issue that it generally
requires the community's involvement and support, and school
administrators must find a way to pay for the tests. Some districts
make students pay for their own while others solicit donations.

Some federal lawmakers want to give grants to schools to pay for
student drug testing, but that doesn't seem like the best use of
federal tax dollars. The federal government already provides other
money to help combat drug problems. So far, there's inconclusive proof
that widespread testing would have a major impact on the number of
students using drugs and alcohol.

Drug testing isn't foolproof and is just one in an arsenal of weapons
that can be used to help combat drug problems among our youth.
Students who test positive must be offered help and not just a
suspension. Communities must be aware of how teenagers spend their
time and be aggressive in marshaling resources to help curb drug and
alcohol abuse problems. Parents, community and school officials cannot
back off in fear of bad publicity.

The most important tool, though, is parents. Parents will always be
the first line of defense and must stay involved in their children's
lives.