Pass Or Fail? Teens Tell What They Think About New Ruling On Drug Testing

When the U.S. Supreme Court granted school officials the right to randomly drug test students a few weeks ago, area teenagers felt offended.

“Personally, I feel the decision is a load of B.S.,” said a blunt Demitri Arbacauskus, a senior at Central Valley.

“Violating our rights as students and citizens basically gets rid of the innocent until proven guilty theorem,” he said.

Many Spokane students agree with Arbacauskus, believing the drug tests are justifiable only when there’s a reason to think a student may be using drugs - not as a random test given to all students, guilty or not.

The court decided that the war on drugs was important enough that schools needed an extreme weapon to fight their battle. It ruled that schools could test athletes randomly for drug use and left the door open for drug tests of all students, whether they’re suspected users or not.

Local students didn’t like the idea.

“I think it’s highly unconstitutional and strips away Fourth Amendment rights,” said Bonny Eaton, a Shadle sophomore who participates in cross country, basketball and track.

For now, the focus is on athletes - a misguided focus, many say. Rich Cullen offered a different argument. The Mead senior plays football and soccer, and will no doubt be affected by the Supreme Court’s resolution.

“Basically they are barking up the wrong tree,” Cullen explained. “Those involved in high school sports do not want to be associated with drugs. They would rather be respected. Sports is the wrong place for the Supreme Court to focus on.”

Arbacauskus nodded his agreement. “Most drug users are not the athletic type.”

But Teresa Allen, a junior at Rogers, agreed with the court and believes young athletes are the perfect target.

“Athletes should not be doing drugs while they are doing a sports activity,” she said. “They’re representatives who should be the role models.”

Others believe the drug testing of athletes is justifiable because of the contract they sign at the beginning of the season. This contract involves a promise not to take part in any type of booze or drug use. ASB members, cheerleaders, debaters and most other club members must also sign a similar oath.

Trouble is, many people sign the contract but then drink and do drugs anyway.

“I think it’s fine to test students under contract, but I disagree with random testing of all students,” said Lisa Heyamoto, Ferris’ ASB vice president.

“It’s an invasion of privacy.”

LC’s Paul Mencke, a basketball, baseball and football star, agreed.

“You sign a contract and if they catch you, your punishment should be upheld,” he said.

“If you make a promise in the beginning of the season, you need to stick with it. If you aren’t on contract, you should not be checked. (Doing drugs) is your prerogative, even if it’s not right.”

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor mentioned the decision means millions of innocent athletes will be subject to demeaning searches.

Some may even be convicted of taking drugs when they have not.

Colin Terry, an 11-year-old who plays soccer, tennis, golf and runs track, watched a show on drug testing and learned some alarming facts.

Some food or beverages may turn a drug test from negative to positive, whether the student had taken drugs or not.

Eating a poppy seed muffin, for example, can make you test positive for opium.

“Those taking the test need to be told about certain things you should not eat or drink before the test,” Terry said.

“But if these warnings were given out, I think the test would be a good thing. It could help parents find out and help those students taking drugs get back on track.”

Will drug testing help cut down on drug use? Eaton laughed at the thought.

“Kids will always find a way to get around it and test negative,” he said. “Kids can always work the system.”

Mencke also called drug testing a joke. “Teens may think a little more before taking them, but I doubt it will do any good. It’s not going to stop people from doing what they want.”

So what good will the decision do? According to the Spokane students interviewed, mandatory drug testing won’t do much.

President Clinton, applauding the act, said, “It sends the exact message to parents and students: Drug use will not be tolerated in our schools.”

While local kids aren’t optimistic that the test will achieve such a lofty goal, they wish it were so.

“It would be great to find some way to make drug use stop completely,” said Mencke.