New Jersey School Ponders Random Drug Testing

From Suburban News (June 24):

A New Jersey high school will soon vote on whether to uphold a random drug testing policy among its student body. Following a survey, school officials believed testing would help deter drug use and identify at-risk students. The policy would require students participating in an extracurricular activity to agree to random drug testing potential candidate.

Early indications suggest the controversial policy will remain in place. "The Board is in support of it, I can tell you that." the board president shared. However, everyone is not on board as others voiced concern about the random testing, saying their should be other options. "The Board should consider letting parents have the privilege to opt out."

The survey that commenced the firestorm recorded drug use among students in grades 9, 10, and 11. Out of 324 students 197 returned the survey yielding the following information:

• More than half of 9th and 10th graders said they had never used drugs.
• Alcohol, followed by cigarettes, was most commonly used.
• 26% of 11th graders admitted to moderate drug use.
• Five 9th graders indicated they had used inhalants.

Have your say: Should schools be allowed to conduct random drug tests?