Pubdate: Mon, 08 Aug 2005
Source: Athens News, The (OH)
Copyright: 2005, Athens News
Contact:  http://www.athensnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1603
Author: Nora Fakhri
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n1198.a07.html

ISSUE WITH DRUG TESTING AT ALEX HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH ITS LEGALITY

I am writing in response to Alex Traxler's July 28 letter concerning
drug testing at Alexander High School. My class president is correct
in stating that students are basically "owned" by the school from the
time that they enter the building until they leave and that student
drug testing is therefore legal.

What he fails to realize, however, is that the argument against
Alexander drug testing is not about its legality. It is about whether
or not the proposed rules are just and how well the students and
parents of the Alexander School District are being represented by the
district's school board officials.

Mr. Traxler suggested that the Alexander students who spoke out
against drug testing were unconstructively complaining. These students
took the initiative to argue in opposition to what they feel is a
stripping of their civil rights and a misrepresentation by their
elected officials. To refer to such people as "whining little peons"
is a blow to democracy.

To the parents in opposition to the Alexander drug testing, you
probably realize that some of your children have or will eventually
experiment with drugs. It is reassuring that you choose to deal with
this by means other than minimizing their civil rights.

As Mr. Traxler noted, nothing in this country is free. Sometimes, it
is up to the people to fight for their civil rights. To the Alexander
students who spoke out in opposition of the drug testing, thank you
for your efforts in advocating for students' rights.

Nora Fakhri, AHS senior

Athens
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin