COURTS UPHOLD DRUG TESTING

We must respond to those who have criticized letter writers Danielle
Franklin and Annie Clayton. Those two young student athletes do
understand the Constitution.

Many people complain about the lack of positive participation by our
youth, and then, when the young people take the time to write a
letter explaining their opinions, they are attacked.

We will refrain from responding in the same manner, because we at
Merritt Island High School have more class than that.

However, we will refer to the U.S. Constitution and several U.S.
Supreme Court decisions. The third article of the Constitution gives
the judicial power to the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts
created by Congress.

It also states that the U.S. Supreme Court has jurisdiction over
matters arising from the U.S. Constitution.

There are two major U.S. Supreme Court decisions that relate to
students' Fourth Amendment rights at school. The first is New Jersey
v. TLO (1985), which states that administrators only need "reasonable
suspicion" to search students.

The second is Vernonia School District 47J v. Acton (1995), in which
the U.S. Supreme Court held that schools may require all student
athletes to take drug tests, whether or not suspected of actual drug
use.

This should help clear up the misunderstandings some people may have
regarding the integrity of our high school students.