Do students have the right to turn down a drug and alcohol urine or swab test while they are on school property or at a school function or event? It seems that there are many different views and opinions on this, but what is the correct answer? Many questions are left unanswered: Why the need for random drug and alcohol testing? Is it in fact random? Is this an invasion of privacy?

Here at Hunterdon Central Regional High School a majority of students give consent to be randomly drug tested if they participate in clubs, sports, and/or activities. If students are under suspicion of drug use they are allowed to be drug and alcohol tested. Consequences for testing positive for drugs and/or alcohol are as follows: for first offense temporary suspension of activities,  five in school suspensions, five drug and alcohol education classes, and five student assistant counselor meetings.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) states that drug testing programs are ineffective and inaccurate. There are many ways to beat the tests and many people will go out of their way to make sure they have a clean drug and alcohol test.

The ACLU Drug Policy Litigation Project (DPLP) believes such drug testing policies to be both invasive and counter-productive. Involvement in extra-curricular activities has been shown to be one of the most sure-fire ways to keep kids out of trouble.

What do you think?  How does your school handle student drug and alcohol use?  Do you think it is effective?  Has a story ever been done on it in the school paper?

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