School begins drug tests of all students

Well, folks, it's happened: An American public school system has implemented drug tests of all students.

The outpost of this tyranny is Beaufort County, North Carolina. Under this policy, any student - not just ones who participate in extracurricular activities - can be tested for drugs if the school suspects them of being high.

I remember hearing something around mid-decade about a school district in western Texas having a universal drug testing policy, but I don't remember what became of it. I vaguely recall a parent threatening to sue the school for testing his preteen child, but I'm assuming this lawsuit warning did the policy in.

I guarantee there's going to be some lawsuits in North Carolina. I'm fully aware the Supreme Court has allowed drug tests of students in extracurricular activities, but the difference here is this: School clubs and sports aren't compulsory. School is. The Beaufort County policy applies to all students - not just those who opt to sign up for the track team or the yearbook club.

As bad as the Supreme Court rulings allowing drug tests of student athletes and club members are, permitting drug tests of all students would be thoroughly ridiculous.

If nothing else, this is more proof of the bunker mentality in which society tars everyone as stoners and "dry druggies." I think the school system is doing this just to mask its own inability to effectively deal with whatever issues the system may have.

(Source: http://www.wdnweb.com/articles/2008/06/21/news/news01.txt)