RANDOM DRUG TESTS ON STUDENTS UNWISE

I am somewhat surprised by Madison's decision to randomly test all students in
extracurricular activities for drug use.

According to most research on the subject, random testing has a negligible
impact on drug use. Further, these tests are expensive, averaging $40 per test
- - in a state where many districts cannot provide adequate class supplies.

Further, the error rate on urine tests varies widely according to the lab in
question. In today's legal climate, this will lead to innumerable lawsuits over
false positive results. In the end, these tests can be humiliating to students
and do little good. It is, therefore, a poor use of public money.

James D. Stewart

Dept. of History and Political Science

Mississippi College

Clinton