DRUG TESTS AND SOUTHWEST ALLEN

Random drug tests of middle school and high school students is
expensive, a violation of rights and of questionable deterrent value.
Southwest Allen County Schools should ultimately reject a proposal to
subject students who drive or participate in extracurricular
activities to such tests.

That being said, Southwest Allen's approach to the issue of students
using drugs and alcohol is otherwise sound and shows that school
officials know drug testing is not a solution in itself.

The SACS school board last week authorized its No Alcohol/No Drugs
Task Force to research the drug testing issue in depth. To its credit,
the task force plans community meetings to receive feedback from
parents, students and other residents of the school district before
the board decides on testing.

Under the proposal, the Southwest Allen County Education Foundation
would raise $500,000 to pay for the drug tests for three years and to
offer scholarships to successful student participants. The source of
the money after three years, though, has not been determined, and
would likely include school district tax revenues.

The spending is questionable. A 2003 University of Michigan study
found that drug use at schools that use testing is statistically the
same as those that have no drug testing.

Drug tests constitute a search, and school officials should not search
students who have not been accused of wrongdoing. Yes, the Supreme
Court has upheld testing students who participate in extracurricular
activities, ruling it is permissible because such activities are
voluntary. But students who have done nothing wrong should not be
subjected to embarrassing urine tests because there might be a drug
problem.

School officials have set reasonable penalties for a positive test for
alcohol or drugs: A 45-day suspension from driving to school,
extracurricular activities and social events, such as attending a
dance. The suspension drops to 10 days if the student participates in
an educational program. Subsequent positive tests would result in
escalating penalties. The SACS proposal shows refreshing compassion
and desire to address problems rather than a harsh "no tolerance" approach.

"Our goal is to give students a reason to say no to drug and alcohol
abuse and give them an alternative," said Anita Gross, chairwoman of
the task force.

And the task force smartly recognizes that there is much more to
fighting student drug use than testing. The task force regularly works
with area businesses, particularly those that employ students, and
with staff and parents to recognize signs of drug and alcohol use and
how to intervene. The task force rightly focuses on educating
students. It is working with the sheriff's department to crack down on
parties where minors consume alcohol.

"Our overall goal is where kids are, they get the same message, that
drugs are illegal, dangerous and inappropriate," Gross said.

The task force should be commended for its aim and well-rounded
approach. It can achieve equal success without random drug tests.