Pubdate: Sat, 17 Aug 2002
Source: Courier News (NJ)
Copyright: 2002 IN Jersey.
Contact:  http://www.c-n.com/c-n/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2163
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

DESPITE RULING, SCHOOL POLICY ON DRUG TESTS ILL-CONCEIVED

Thanks to an Appellate Court ruling this week, Hunterdon Central Regional 
High School officials have regained the lead in their quest to continue 
random drug-testing at the school.

But this issue could be destined for the state Supreme Court.

Here's hoping it makes it that far, because it appears the courts are the 
only ones that can stop the district from pushing forward with a bad policy.

While the dispute continues to be over the legalities of the testing, our 
concern is simply with the wisdom of it. There has yet to be any 
demonstrated need for it at Hunterdon Central -- something a Superior Court 
judge cited in opposing the testing. That was the ruling overturned by the 
Appellate Court. And the potential student targets of the testing are 
rather arbitrarily defined: those involved in extracurricular activities or 
who park cars on campus. What about the rest of the students? If there is a 
problem that needs to be stamped out or prevented, why not everyone?

There are better ways to attack this issue. The school's old policy would 
initiate testing when reasonable suspicion existed. With proper 
application, that is a preferable approach. Other constructive programs and 
preventive measures could also help identify users and prevent other 
students from taking the plunge. Parental responsibility remains the best 
weapon against student drug use.

Whether or not students' rights are being constitutionally violated, random 
drug-testing of teenagers is still troublesome. That may help explain why 
there are still so few schools in the state -- less than a dozen -- that 
have tried it. School officials are already plotting the reintroduction of 
the tests. A legal victory for the district this week -- but a miss 
nonetheless.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom