ONE TEST STUDENTS SHOULDN'T STUDY FOR

As if students already don't take enough tests these days, Currituck
school officials are now proposing random drug tests for high school
students. As much as we want to see students excel, we hope for their
safety that drug tests are one test students never study for. The
tests, however, should be given. Superintendent C. Michael Warren
proposed the drug tests at a school board meeting two weeks ago. If
approved by the board, the tests would affect students in grades 9-12
who participate in school athletics and other extracurricular school
activities. Students with school parking permits on their vehicles
also would be affected.

Bottom line, Warren's proposal could save lives by preventing what
students might view as recreational use of alcohol or marijuana from
advancing to a dangerous and reckless addiction.

Opponents may say that it's not a public school's responsibility to
spend taxpayers' dollars on drug tests for students.

But we say it's public dollars well spent if it looks out for the well
being of students. Besides, we believe that it is a function of
education for schools to be proactive in ensuring students aren't
abusing drugs. School officials often argue that more and more these
days they find themselves serving not only as educators, but also as
role models and parents-in-absentia to students.

If this is true, it only makes sense that schools would want to do
everything within their legal means to protect students. Under
Warren's proposal, students selected for testing would be required to
provide a urinalysis sample, which would be screened for marijuana,
alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates and other controlled substances. A
first time positive test would result in school officials notifying
the students parents or legal guardians.

School officials also would notify parents and a meeting would be
arranged with the school principal if a student tested positive a
second time.

Again, Warren's proposed policy has the potential to save lives and
that's why we support it. We hope the school board does, too.