TRUSTEES RIGHT TO EYE DRUG TESTS

Re: the editorial Unjustified intrusions (Nov. 5). While drug testing is an
extreme measure, the board of trustees are entrusted by the public that
elects them to provide a safe learning environment that is free from drugs.
In today's society, drugs have become so pervasive that anyone is
susceptible. The core issue in my opinion is the need for the high school
to provide a safe environment for the students and discourage recreational
drug use. Let us not forget the destructive nature of drug use and its
addictive power. Drugs have a way of influencing people in ways that they
would not normally behave in. Unfortunately, the problems of recreational
drug use are not apparent until an accident has taken place. Another false
premise in the editorial is how school trustees, teachers and
administrators restrict the lives of the students; how is this different
than the real world. In the workplace (as in society) we must conduct
ourselves in a fashion that is deemed appropriate and respectful of our
laws. Lastly, when it comes to the point of intruding into the private
lives of students and betraying their trust, we must put this into
perspective. While it is true that everyone has a right to privacy and
freedom of lifestyle, do the rights of drug users supersede the rights of
non-drug users? It would seem that the answer to this question is a
resounding no.

The school is a drug-free environment and there is no reason why we should
accommodate the rights of drug-using students. The board of school trustees
must ensure that the integrity of the school is beyond reproach. If they
wish to impose a policy that is commensurate with this goal, then we should
support them.

MARCO BATTAGLIA-VELDHUIS

Winnipeg