SCHOOLS HAVE RIGHT

If a student is partaking of illegal drugs at school or while
representing our school in a school-funded function, then that student
jeopardizes his or her right to privacy. The schools have the right to
know whether their representatives are going to make them look bad or
possibly cause the school legal problems.

I commend our board for taking the initiative to remedy the problem
that plagues our school as well as surrounding schools. It not only
helps our school become a cleaner environment, but it also helps to
keep our school clean of legal suits that would hinder the educational
process by providing an unwanted distraction for teachers, students,
administration and the community.

I also want to address the issue about it not being adults' jobs to
monitor other people's children's activities. There are plenty of
parents who don't care about what their child does. If parents don't
care about their child's welfare, should we just leave that child behind?

These students may need help, and if they are not getting it at home,
it is the job of good, honest, concerned citizens to take it upon
themselves to help them. What better place than at school?

I understand many see this as an invasion of privacy, but I see it as
an added "insurance policy" to rid our school of illegal drugs and
legal actions that could interrupt our learning process.

BENJAMIN MALONE

Editor's Note: These letters were submitted by
students in Melanie Ragland's journalism class at
Hawley High School in response to Jim Parker's Jan. 24
letter to the editor, "Hawley drug testing invasion of privacy."