DRUG TESTS: STUDENTS HAVE MIXED REACTION TO THE RANDOM SCREENING IDEA

One morning, Larry gets called out of class. A student council member and
co-captain of the football team, he's told that he has been randomly chosen
to take a drug test.

How realistic is this scenario? Apparently, it accurately portrays what is
quickly becoming reality in many schools.

To counteract the growing drug problem in many schools today, counties all
over the state are adopting a random drug testing policy.

Under this policy, any students who participate in extracurricular
activities will be subjected to a drug test. And yes, academic
extracurricular activities are included.

Braxton County is one of the latest counties to join the fight against drugs.

While not all students are in favor of implementing this new policy, some
believe it will help to a degree.

"It puts pressure on kids. They won't do it [drugs] at school or as often,"
senior Trenton Morrison said.

Sophomore Glenn Tanner agreed. "The new drug policy may help with the drugs
being done during sports," he said.

"I think it will make people change their habits and their attitude,"
junior Stephanie Payne said.

However, some students are concerned with the negative effect the policy
may have on athletic teams.

"I think a lot of people will stop playing sports if they have to be tested
for drugs," sophomore Jarren Morlan said.

Added junior Chuck Blankenship, "We will lose most of our athletes."

As far as student council and National Honor Society members being tested
for drugs, the concept may seem absurd to some. But some Braxton County
students said it's not a bad idea.

"These people are supposed to be setting a good example," Payne said.

"They are supposed to be the elite of the classes, so they should be
tested, too," senior Terri Johnson said.

One of the major debates involving drug testing is, of course, the matter
of privacy. Although Morrison said he thinks random drug testing will have
a positive effect on students, he also believes it violates their privacy.

Senior Stephanie Ellison disagreed. "I don't think it is an invasion of
privacy, but they should have the parents' consent," she said.

All in all, while many are in favor of the drug testing policy, students
agreed that not much will change.

"I think it would be a good idea if it were enforced," Johnson said.

Morlan said the policy is OK. "But it really won't make a difference," he
added.

And Ellison noted, "It won't fix anything."

Random drug tests or no random drug tests: That is the question at hand.
This could be the solution to the problem of drugs being used in school, or
it may just be the beginning of a battle between students and
administrators. Only time will tell.