Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jul 2002
Source: Norwalk Citizen-News, The (CT)
Copyright: 2002 MediaNews Group, Inc.
Contact: http://www.norwalkcitizen-news.com/Stories/0,1002,4606,00.html
Website: http://www.norwalkcitizen-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2113
Author: Ginger Katz
Note: The writer is the founder of the Courage to Speak Foundation, Inc., a 
drug prevention program aimed at fostering open communication about the 
prevention of drug use among young people through education and awareness.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

A MAJOR VICTORY

The Supreme Court approved random drug tests for many public high school 
students [June 27], ruling that schools' interest in ridding their campuses 
of drugs outweighs an individual's right to privacy.

The 5-4 decision would allow the broadest drug testing the court has yet 
permitted for young people whom authorities have no particular reason to 
suspect of wrongdoing. It applies to students who join competitive 
after-school activities or teams, a category that includes many if not most 
middle school and high school students. Previously these tests had been 
allowed only for student athletes. This is a major victory, and we have no 
doubt that student drug testing will save thousands of young people from 
becoming school dropouts, a life of addiction, crime or death from overdose 
or accident. This decision gives schools a tool to truly be safe havens 
where children can learn.

Ginger Katz

Norwalk
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MAP posted-by: Beth