Wrong Approach To Slowing Teen Drug Use

The Denver Post

Random drug tests in high schools are becoming more acceptable. We think it's a terrible trend, one that a Colorado Springs school district and others should not follow.

For legal reasons, the random drug testing is conducted on students involved in extracurricular activities. It's an expensive and ineffective deterrent to drug use, and also raises obvious privacy concerns.

Unfortunately, it is a practice that appears to be gaining currency in Colorado and around the country. Last week, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported that Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 officials are discussing a policy to allow random drug tests of high school students who participate in district extracurricular activities, such as clubs and sports. At least three other districts in the state have such policies.

Cheyenne Mountain High School had a problem with black tar heroin use last fall, according to the Gazette, with 25 students involved. In the ensuing months, the school board and administration began working on a drug testing policy.

The policy would require students who want to play sports or participate in drama or band to sign a testing consent form. The results are to be kept private. However, a positive test would make the student subject to disciplinary action.