AMERICAN STUDENTS FACE MORE DRUG TESTS

STUDENTS across America who attend band practice, chess club or other
extra-curricular activities, could be subjected to random drug tests after
the Supreme Court signalled its support for a tough testing policy in
Oklahoma. A majority of justices on the nation's highest court gave their
approval to a huge expansion of random testing in American schools.
Previously they had given their backing only to tests on student athletes.

The case arose after a student in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, objected
to being subjected to a drug test because she was captain of the quiz team.
The school district had adopted a policy of testing all students who took
part in after-school activities that involved any element of competition,
including cheerleading, football and the Future Farmers of America Club.

Lindsey Earls, who described herself as a "goodie two-shoes", passed the
test, but went to court, saying that her privacy had been invaded. "The
constitutional rights of a lot of students are at stake," said Ms Earls,
who is now a first-year student at Dartmouth College. "My biggest fear is
there will be students drug-tested all over, students whose privacy is
invaded."

The nine justices appeared not only to side with the local school board but
were also in favour of even more testing, beyond students who voluntarily
take part in extra-curricular activities.

"Do you think any school in the United States does not have a drug
problem?" Justice Antonin Scalia asked. "The danger is getting kids used to
the drug culture. They're forming their habits for the rest of their lives."

Justice Stephen Breyer spoke approvingly of the Oklahoma scheme, saying:
"No one is arrested. It's counselling. It's an effort to deal with the
demand side of drugs."

Linda Meoli, a lawyer for the local school district, said that testing was
a deterrent. "If they want to audition or go out for one of these
competitive activities, they know drug-testing is a requirement."