Posted on: Friday, April 19, 2002

EDITORIAL
Broad drug testing in public schools harmful

Observers of the U.S. Supreme Court say they believe the court is about ready to allow greatly expanded drug testing in this country's public schools.

One hopes the justices will see the folly of the idea and rule against it. But if they allow the testing, one can only hope that Hawai'i will not jump on the drug-testing bandwagon.

This is not about disciplining or even expelling children who use drugs. What is at issue is whether schools can subject large segments of the student body to random and routine drug tests. The high court has already upheld an Oregon law that required athletes to submit to drug testing in order to participate in team sports.

The current case involves an Oklahoma school that demanded random drug tests for any student involved in any after-school program, from chess and Future Farmers through the school newspaper.

The irony of such a program is that it targets those students most likely not to be using drugs. The druggies tend to be those who drop out of organized activities.

And it sends a message to the joiners, the active kids: You are under suspicion and you have left your constitutional rights at the classroom door. Your only way to avoid this intrusive testing is to drop out, don't participate.

This is hardly the message we should be sending to our kids.