RANDOM TESTING WILL HELP SCHOOLS FIGHT DRUGS

The growing epidemic of illicit drug use by our young people is a problem
that can no longer be ignored.

Drugs like heroin, Ecstasy, methamphetamine and cocaine are widely used and
readily available -- not just in big cities but in small towns and rural
communities all across America. And with the increased potency of many of
today's drugs, one or two bad decisions during the most vulnerable,
formative period of a young life can often lead to a life-long addiction
that may destroy lives and even end in death.

The government's emphasis on supply-side interdiction has failed to prevent
drugs from invading our schools and communities. As long as there is a
growing demand, there will be more than enough predators eager to make a
lucrative living selling drugs to our children.

While interdiction efforts must continue, we must increase the focus on
reducing the demand for drugs, and the most effective way that communities
can do this is through random drug testing in our schools.

Drug testing works because it offers kids a non-threatening reason to
refuse drugs.

While kids are often vulnerable to peer pressure, the probability of
getting caught and of facing consequences is reason enough for many young
people to say no to drugs.

Drug testing is a way of life in the workplace, and it has been used
effectively in the military to dramatically reduce the once-rampant drug
problem.

Random testing has long been accepted as an effective method for deterring
drug use among student athletes, and there is no reason that other students
should be held to a lower standard.

Drug testing is not about invading a student's privacy, as the ACLU would
have us believe, but about giving parents and communities the tools to rid
our schools of drugs and protect our young people.

Anyone who has ever taken a shower after physical education class or had a
school physical knows that the privacy argument is a red herring --
especially given today's advanced testing methods that use hair, saliva and
even sweat samples.

As the Supreme Court stated, "a student's privacy interest is limited in a
public school environment where the state is responsible for maintaining
discipline, health and safety."

With this decision, the Supreme Court has given communities the green light
to develop random drug testing policies.

And with the passage of last year's "No Child Left Behind" Act, schools can
now use funds from the Safe and Drug Free Schools program to implement
their own drug testing programs.

Random drug testing works, and schools now have one of the most effective
tools at their disposal for creating a drug free school. This decision is a
victory for families all across America who believe that schools should be
a safe and drug free environment for our children.