Pubdate: Wed, 08 Oct 2008
Source: Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)
Copyright: 2008 Newark Morning Ledger Co
Contact:  http://www.nj.com/starledger/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/424
Author: Jim Lockwood
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

VERNON HIGH SCHOOL CONSIDERS RANDOM DRUG TESTING

The Vernon school board is considering randomly drug  testing students
at the township's high school next  fall.

The program would be similar to ones implemented in  recent years at
about 26 school districts in the state,  school officials said Tuesday
night to a crowd of  parents, faculty members and students at a public
 forum.

The students who would be subject to random testing  include those who
participate in athletics, clubs or  activities. Students who drive to
school could also be  tested.

The crowd of more than 50 people was sharply divided  about the
matter. The school board was also split.

Advocates of random drug testing contend it allows  schools to fight a
rising societal tide of teenagers  drug and alcohol abuse and provides
students with a  tool to fight peer pressure.

Those opposed to random drug testing cited as concerns  that it would
amount to an invasion of privacy and a  usurping of parental rights
and it would send the wrong  message to students.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin