Pubdate: Wed, 29 May 2002
Source: Daily Journal, The (NJ)
Copyright: 2002 Daily Journal
Contact:  http://www.thedailyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2250
Author: David G. Evans

RANDOM DRUG TESTING MAY CUT SCHOOL VIOLENCE

The state Department of Education's recent "Report of Violence, Vandalism 
and Substance Abuse in New Jersey Schools" shows that substance incidents 
in our schools are up 20 percent.

Research continually report statistics demonstrating that student drug and 
alcohol use is at a dangerous level. For example, the National Center on 
Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University reports that 
for the last six years school children have listed drugs as the most 
important problem they face.

A 1997 CASA survey revealed that high school students see more drug deals 
at school than in their neighborhoods. In the survey, 76 percent of high 
school students claim that drugs are kept, used or sold on school grounds. 
In addition, 29 percent of high school students claim that a student in 
their school died from a drug-or alcohol-related incident in the last year.

CASA also reports that substance abuse adds at least $41 billion to the 
costs of elementary and secondary education in terms of special education, 
teacher turnover, truancy, property damage, injury and more.

According to a study in the Journal of American Medical Association, 
students who use drugs are more likely to bring guns and knives to school, 
leading to school violence. According to the state report, assaults are up 
30 percent with school staff as victims in 19 percent of the cases.

Schools must be allowed to use all reasonable means to combat drug and 
alcohol use if education is to be successful and our schools are to be 
safe. Drug testing deters drug use and gives students a reason to say "no" 
when their peers ask them to use drugs.

Our nation uses random drug testing on military personnel and 
transportation workers to ensure national security and safe travel. Our 
interests in student safety, health and educational quality are equally 
compelling. We must be willing to use the same tools to defend our 
children. They deserve no less.

David G. Evans, Esq.

Executive director, Drug-Free Schools Coalition

Flemington
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth