Story Published: Jan 18, 2008 at 7:09 PM PST
Today President Bush's drug education team landed in Pasco to hold a conference for teachers and school administrators. The group has been touring around the country for two years now, trying to convince schools to randomly test teenagers for drugs.
Officials say more than half of of the nation's high school students have used illegal drugs, and that random testing will give some kids a reason to resist peer pressure, and others a chance for help before it's too late.
Bush appointed Dr. Bertha Madras to lead the effort. She says schools that introduced such testing saw a dramatic decrease in self-reported drug use among their students.
“It's a powerful form of prevention, it's a public health approach, it's confidential, it's private and it's non-punitive,” she said. “And it's a systematic way of trying to deal with reducing drug use amongst the most susceptible, vulnerable population in our country-- teenagers.”
Some think random testing in public schools is a violation of the Constitution. Madras disagrees. She is quick to point out the Supreme Court twice ruled that school drug testing is legal. More importantly, she says, subjecting all teens to random testing is a small price to pay for a healthy student population.
“We have to weigh privacy with what's best for the child and what's best for parenting,” she said. “If a parent doesn't know their child is engaged in very risky behavior that can compromise their health, their education-- that's wrong.”
Some Pasco High School students said they wouldn't mind such a policy, but others worry school administrators may overstep their bounds.
“How come everybody in the school has to be taking UAs (urine analysis tests?)”, said Carissa Rodriguez. “That should only be for people on probation. Why they gotta come give me a UA? What did I do to them so they can be giving me a drug test?”
Senior Ashley Holcroft disagreed. “What are you scared of if you don't have anything to hide?” she said.
Another student, Isacc Magama, felt violated by a potential random drug testing policy.
“It sucks, 'cause if we have to take UAs, why don't the teachers have to take UAs?” he said.
More than 1,000 schools across the country are already randomly testing for drugs. The policy does not support expelling students who test positive. Usually counseling is the first step, and parents are notified. Athletes and students in extra-curricular activities are usually suspended at least temporarily, but consequences are left up to the individual schools.
