DRUG TESTING VALUABLE AID TO PARENTS, STUDENTS

Parents should welcome Decatur's new random drug testing for high school
students involved in extracurricular activities, even though some may not
like the results.

Parents do a lot of praying and keeping their fingers crossed as their
youngsters make their way into the adult world. Many things are potential
obstacles to achieving what every parent wants for their children, who can
be resourceful in hiding such activities.

Parents worry about their children getting involved with illegal substances
without having evidence. The testing will ease many parental concerns,
while alerting others to problems.

The goal is to eliminate these substances from school campuses, but the
policy includes getting help for students who test positive as well as
punishing them.

Testing may cause some students to drop out of extracurricular activities,
but the majority of them will take the matter in stride, and use it as one
more aid in helping them avoid the temptations.

Testing also will aid school and police authorities in dealing with
hostility from disbelieving parents. It is difficult to argue with test
results.

Other area school systems are considering testing policies following a
recent favorable Supreme Court ruling. Hopefully, those systems will have
policies soon, and all students will eventually be included.