SCHOOLS ARE IN LOCO PARENTIS

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing random drug testing for students who
participate in extracurricular school activities rightly recognizes the
broad, protective role of schools.

Schools are run by the government but they are more than just agents of
government. Schools act in place of parents when students are in class or
on school property. Schools are charged with ensuring student safety and
deterring illegal activities.

Some schools already conduct random locker or backpack searches. Athletes
are subjected to random drug testing. The high court's ruling expands the
pool of those who can be tested to include cheerleaders, future homemakers'
club members and the debate team, among others.

It also offers schools another reasonable option and adds an extra tool to
the drug fight. This is indeed a powerful tool. Schools should take care
how they use it.

Only about 5 percent of schools nationwide have performed drug tests on
student athletes and another 2 percent have been testing students involved
in other extracurricular activities.

The Seattle Public Schools and most districts in Washington do not subject
students to random drug testing. The focus instead has been on substantial
investment in prevention programs that try to keep students from engaging
in risky behavior.

In many ways, this has worked. National surveys and a local five-year study
show the number of students using drugs, alcohol and engaging in other
forms of risky behavior has declined.

But there are, and will always be, cases where this approach is not enough.
A school should be able to reach for more aggressive means of maintaining
public order.

There is little evidence to support a sudden rush by schools to implement
random drug tests. The deterrent for most schools lies in the substantial
cost - according to the National Association of Secondary School
Principals, drug-testing kits can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 per
individual. Moreover, few districts would get support from their
communities for random drug tests where there has not been demonstrated
proof of a drug-abuse problem.

Public schools operate a zero-tolerance drug policy. The Supreme Court
ruling helps them enforce it.