[CA Conservative]

Its not "privacy", its an illegal search. A person's urine is their property.

For this reason I would oppose mandatory testing of the entire population. These kids have a choice, however. If they don't want to be tested, don't participate in the extracurricular activities.

Extra-curricular activities are not a right, and putting conditions on participation happens all the time. You have to maintain certain GPA levels, etc. It is not an invasion of privacy, because the students have the right to refuse, and they are not denied any of their rights by their refusal - but they may be denied a privilege.

[Viva Le Dissention]

Oh come on--and you call yourself a conservative. These kids are coerced into participating in extra-curricular activities (including driving to school!). Not only is there social pressure from their friends and parents, there is pressure from colleges and universities who demand that applicants be "well-rounded" in order to gain admission. That means participating in extra-curriculars.

This decisions forces students to choose between their right to privacy and, potentially, their future as a student. How many kids do you know that get into a top college with no extra-curriculars? At my alma mater, Washington and Lee University, 100% of accepted kids had some sort of extra-curricular activity. This isn't right just for that reason.

[freeeee]

It is not an invasion of privacy, because the students have the right to refuse, and they are not denied any of their rights by their refusal - but they may be denied a privilege.

Say you have to forfeit your right to free exercise of religion for the privilege of getting a drivers license.

No violation of rights?

[nravoter]

These kids have a choice, however. If they don't want to be tested, don't participate in the extracurricular activities.

Driving a car under the influence is more dangerous than participating in extracurricular activities in that state. Additionally, driving consistently is defined by all levels of government as a "privilege, not a right".

So what if the Feds or a state decide that anyone who wants to drive a car must submit to mandatory, random urinalyses? Will people still be saying "Hey, if you don't want to abide by the conditions set by the authorities, fine--just don't expect to receive full priviliges."?

[SouthernFreebird]

If they don't want to be tested, don't participate in the extracurricular activities.

Right, they should go hang on the street corners all afternoon and learn to SELL drugs then they wouldn't have to face an invasion of privacy.. ..geez

[TightSqueeze]

Extra-curricular activities are not a right, and putting conditions on participation happens all the time.

Imagine the problems encountered had it been necessary for me to submit to a piss test to receive my conceal carry permit?

[Brookhaven]

If they don't want to be tested, don't participate in the extracurricular activities.

The irony of all this is their logic is 100% backwards.

Kids inolved in some type of extra-curricular activity are less likely to use drugs than those that aren't, because (imho) they find something more productive to focus on then drugs. The testing program discourages any kid that might be experimenting with drugs from getting in extra-curricular activites and finding something more interesting to do than just hanging out with his friends doing drugs.

A better alternative would be to require anyone that does not participate in an extra-curricular activity to be tested. You're going to catch a much higher percentage in that group.

[FreeTally]

Extra-curricular activities are not a right, and putting conditions on participation happens all the time. You have to maintain certain GPA levels, etc. It is not an invasion of privacy, because the students have the right to refuse, and they are not denied any of their rights by their refusal - but they may be denied a privilege.

You know, I am so sick of this "its extra-curricular acrivities which are a priveledge" nonsense. EC activities are paid with the SAME TAXES USED TO PAY FOR CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. There is no "distinction" when it comes to public funds.

This is issue is exactly why I believe, if brought before them, th SCOTUS would rule that random testing on all students is just fine. Screw 'em.

[southern rock]

Extra-curricular activities are not a right, and putting conditions on participation happens all the time. You have to maintain certain GPA levels, etc. It is not an invasion of privacy, because the students have the right to refuse, and they are not denied any of their rights by their refusal - but they may be denied a privilege.

Governmental institutions have no authority to hand out privileges to individuals. It's actually the other way around.