RANDOM DRUG TESTING WRONG

I read, with interest, the front-page article on the Supreme Court case
dealing with drug testing of students involved in extra-curricular
activities. I have done extensive research on the subject and feel the
article was a misrepresentation of the original decision.

The facts in that case were specific: there was rampant drug use in that
high school, and the athletes were known to be involved. That is a much
different circumstance requiring, at least, a modicum of probable cause.
Previous decisions have forbidden universal random drug testing in schools
because it violates children's rights.

Students who participate in extracurricular activities are the least likely
to do drugs, which is not only common sense, but is also borne out by
research (conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
the U.S. Department of Justice, Indiana Prevention Resource Center and others).

I recognize the need to provide children with a quality education and to
promote high student achievement by eradicating drug use by students.
Unfortunately, random testing won't do it. Our schools already have
numerous means at their disposal to test, search and prosecute drug users.
They need to utilize existing resources. Additionally, we need to get to
the root of the problems that cause students to seek drugs. We should not
be discouraging extra-curricular activities. The students may replace these
positive activities with much less desirables ones.

Colleen Finley

Lake City