RANDOM DRUG TESTING OF STUDENTS: YES OR NO?

The Star asked the students in Elizabeth Anderson's sophomore English class
at Olathe South High School to share their views on a case that the U.S.
Supreme Court is expected to decide this summer. At issue is whether
schools should be able to do random drug testing on students in
extracurricular activities, such as student government or quiz bowl.
Schools are already allowed to test athletes. The case is Board of
Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County
(Oklahoma) vs. Earls. The Star will periodically ask high-school and
middle-school students to write. Teachers who would like to participate
should send contact information to letters@kcstar.com. Because of space
limitations, we can only use a sampling of the students' letters, and they
are subject to the same requirements and editing as any letter we publish.

I am in favor of random drug screenings for student sporting events or
other academic activities. The reason I'm in favor is that some of the new
drugs can be hazardous to someone's health.

I also believe that random drug tests would be good because it would be an
excellent deterrent.

If a guy running track is hanging out with his friends after school on a
rainy day when the meet has been canceled, and they want to go smoke a
joint, he will be less likely to do so knowing that there is a possible
drug test in the future.

The article in The Star (3/20, "Justices contemplate school drug tests")
discussed the girl who had a random drug test done. She sued because she
said it humiliated her. This girl should not be immune to the tests because
she is a "goody two shoes" and she has had a good record.

The bottom line in this case is that the school just wants to be safe. It
does not want any of its students hurt, and that's why these drug tests
have to occur. I think random drug tests would be a very good idea.

Steven Armstrong

Random drug tests on high school students should not be allowed. I think
that it is an invasion of privacy and that it is wrong.

If I were an athlete, I wouldn't want someone to come up to me and tell me
I had to take/pass a drug test or I was automatically off the team or
unable to participate in the activity.

In a recent article in The Star, Linda Meoli, a school district attorney,
said, "Having a test hanging over a student's head is a way to say no to
peer pressure." This is not necessarily true. A student who wants to try
out for an extracurricular activity may not do it for fear that her life
choices may cause her to fail the test, but she will still continue to do
drugs.

The students and their parents should approve the whole idea of drug
testing. They have the right to feel safe in their schools without having
to be concerned with drug testing and either being kicked off the team or
maybe facing an even worse punishment, such as expulsion or a court date.

Alicia Rench

I don't think we should drug test the kids in clubs, band and chorus.
Activity clubs, chorus and band do not involve running, tackling and
shooting baskets. Sports are more dangerous. Being in other activities
while under the influence is not as dangerous.

I think drugs are bad, but kids will do what they want to do. That is just
what life is nowadays.

Stephen Livingston

I believe that random drug testing may be OK in some cases. I am a football
player myself and wouldn't want to be playing against a person using drugs.
It could give them an advantage or a disadvantage. In the end, it wouldn't
be a fair game, and that's how I want to play.

I also think that it's not too much to ask people to stop using drugs
during the season. Schools should make the students decide. If they want to
play on the team (or participate in an activity), they would agree to
random drug tests. If not, then obviously doing drugs is more important to
them.

Lee Avant

I am in favor of random drug testing, although I do not think star football
players are the kids one needs to be worrying about. It has been proven
that kids who are more involved in extracurricular activities are less
likely to try drugs. I agree with making a drug test required for kids who
want to participate in activities. Just like a doctor's physical, I think
it's important to test these students because we don't want to be looking
up to drug users.

Amanda Horne

I think random drug testing for students in extracurricular activities
could save students from getting badly injured or sick. If a student tests
positive, I think that he would stop using drugs to participate in his
after-school activity. I know a few students who have stopped using drugs
for the activities they are in.

Drugs are a big problem in schools, but I don't agree with testing all
students. This looks like schools are trying to get rid of drugs
altogether, which is definitely not going to happen anytime soon. If
schools tried to get rid of drugs, students will just want to do them even
more. It is a war that can't be won, but random drug testing could save
some students.

Kevin Duffie

I am in favor of random drug testing, but I also believe that it might not
be a strong enough deterrent for some students. The majority of students
would be turned away from drugs if they knew that they could be tested at
any given time. But there will always be that one or two who will do it no
matter what, the ones who believe it's OK to do drugs.

I also think that the testing should be done for all extracurricular
activities because a person never knows who is using. The student council
president could be using drugs on the weekend. It's important to know who's
doing what, not so they can be punished, but so that they can receive help.

Kim Bryan

I am not in favor of drug testing for kids in after-school activities
because I think it's an invasion of privacy. If anyone should make students
take drugs tests, it should be the student's parents. I'm especially not in
favor of drug testing for all students. If a student fails a drug test, are
they going to kick the student out of school?

Brad Pullen

I agree that drug tests should be given to athletes before they start their
season, but I also think that one should be given before they start
training for their season. If they get the results back and they have been
doing drugs or drinking alcohol, then they should be given a chance to stop
and take another test to prove to the coaches that they have stopped. The
player should then be allowed to play and practice with the team.

Wendi Kennard

SHANE KEYSER/The Kansas City Star

Elizabeth Anderson's first-hour sophomore English class: front row (from
left) Kevin Babson, Ali Hawley, Canary Nolaly, Candice Reich, Monica
Votypka, Kim Bryan, Jenna Bennett, Kristina Whitesell. Middle row: Kevin
Duffie, Robert Morris, Lucas Stoneking, Alicia Rench, Amanda Horne, Steven
Armstrong, Shawn Clark. Back row: Kyle Ellrich, Marc Mathias, Stephen
Livingston, Lee Avant, Megan Grisell, Jenni Mosiman, Dustin Luthro, Brad
Pullen, Ashley Powell. Anderson has taught at Olathe South High School
since it opened 21 years ago.