Sunday, June 02, 2002

random drug testing in schools?

The Guardian Unlimited is predicting that the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in the next few days on the issue of random drug testing for U.S. pupils in public schools. They prognosticate that the Court will hold in favor of a school that allowed for random drug testing of all students who were involved in any after extra-curricular school activities in an Oklahoma school. In the past, only students who were involved in athletic activities were subject to random drug testing. The implications of such a decision are widespread, but I agree with a quote in the Guardian article that there may be no better way to alienate an entire generation than to treat them as if they were guilty until proven innocent. Yes, children and drugs shouldn't mix. But, should they be subject to random drug testing at the whim of a school administrator? Does the fourth amendment prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures not apply to children? When the Court allowed random drug testing for students involved in school athletics, they cited a concern that children who might be engaged in sports while under the influence of drugs could pose health risks. The same can't be said for the debate society, or the math club. How should the Court rule?

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