RANDOM DRUG TESTS DRACONIAN

Random drug testing of students involved in extracurricular athletic events.

It's an idea school trustees with Garden Valley School Division in Winkler
are considering.

And now the school board chairwoman is pondering the idea of extending drug
testing to students in non-athletic extracurricular activities, even though
the division is not sure of the legalities.

The division's rationale is to tackle the problem of high school students
using drugs, alcohol and even performance-enhancing drugs. That might be
well intentioned, but does that not trample on the students' rights to privacy?

It is one thing to set down policies on drug and alcohol use on school
property, it is another to demand urine samples from students to test for
illegal substances.

Garden Valley School Division will have to tread carefully on this issue
because it is legally questionable whether the division has the authority
to implement such a policy.

At the same time, it is somewhat of a draconian measure to deal with the
problem of students drinking and using illegal drugs, or
performance-enhancing drugs for athletes.

There must be less harsh ways of dealing with the problem rather than
resorting to random urine tests.

The idea of testing students is one other school divisions should avoid
because it sets a bad tone. It says to students they cannot be trusted and
that's not the message schools should be sending to children.