Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jul 2002
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Contact:  2002 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Website: http://www.starbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/196
Author: Sara Honda
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1213/a08.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

TRUST TEENAGERS TO BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY 

I agree with the editorial "School drug tests are not the solution"
(Star-Bulletin, July 1). I'm a 16-year-old who thinks teenagers have the
right to their privacy. It's not fair if only teenagers are subject to
random searches. What about adults? Someone would have to get a search
warrant in order to go through an adult's belongings and that would also
involve having probable cause. They couldn't get a search warrant just based
on the way the person looked or what sport he or she participated in.

If they allow random drug tests or searches, they should be issued for the
whole community. Teenagers have rights, too, not only adults. We have been
treated like kids for a long time now. Let us be responsible and make the
choices we want to make. We know the dangers of the world and we know how to
handle ourselves like adults. 

I'm not saying give us total freedom, just enough so we can learn from our
mistakes. The adults should just help us and guide us through the mistakes
we know that we have made.

Sara Honda

Pearl City
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk