Letters to the editor
To the Peabody community:
Drug testing in schools
This is where a student involved in activities is chosen, by random means, and compelled to donate her/his urine in order to test for illegal/unauthorized drugs.
The theory is that: 1) the possibility of "winning" the lottery will act as a deterrent, and 2) if a student is identified as having taken a drug (s)he will be helped by being required to undergo some type of counseling.
It is important to note that ONLY THE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES will have the FORCED opportunity to be contestants in this lottery.
That is because there are constitutional roadblocks against such invasion of privacy by government (the school in this case). The U.S. Constitution also prohibits government from requiring individuals to provide evidence against themselves.
The legal loophole that more often than not supports testing is to confine it to those students involved in a school activity outside the required academic schedule.
To test a pilot before he sits in the cockpit or a bus driver before he gets behind the wheel can be better understood and defended, although debatable. However, to choose a student in a Las Vegas-type manner out of the extra curricular activity segment of the school and then require that (s)he submit to a drug test in order to continue participating in a taxpayer supported activity is "un-American."
It is my hope that our young people have good role models, make wise choices, and not waste their lives with drugs or other negative pursuits. As it relates to drugs, schools bring in drug dogs and are vigilant as to areas that students may need help.
Should school staff be concerned about a student regarding drug use or other problems, that student should be the focus of assistance. Should the parents want their son or daughter tested for drugs, that is their decision, not a governmental (school) decision.
During the August USD 398 Board of Education meeting, the superintendent was asked by the board to begin researching drug testing for our district.
No matter which side you fall on this issue, attend the board of education meetings and let the board know what you want.
Tony Zappone
Peabody
