Drugs: Random Testing Is Not The Answer

This is in response to the article on the Supreme Court case dealing
with drug testing of students involved in extracurricular activities.
I have done extensive research on the subject, and I think the article
was a misrepre-sentation 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).

Robert Taylor, in "Compensating Behavior and the Drug Testing of High
School Student Athletes" (Cato Journal, Vol. 16, No. 3), stated: "Not
only does this policy invade the privacy ... of students who are E
unlikely to use drugs, but it also discourages athletic participation
and may actually lead to an increase in overall drug use."

Numerous national professional organizations are against random drug
testing. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that "involuntary
testing is not appropriate in adolescents ... and should be performed
only if there are strong medical or legal reasons to do so." The
National Education Association believes that "testing of students
without probable cause is an unwarranted and unconstitutional invasion
of privacy and opposes such testing."

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 desirable ones.

COLLEEN FINLEY, homemaker
Lake City