I always thought the purpose of going to high school was to get aneducation and to prepare myself for college. What does any of thathave to do with drugs? Nothing.

So, why do so many people believe that all students whoparticipate in extracurricular activities should be drug tested?Currently, the United States Supreme Court is hearing a case in whichthey will determine the constitutionality of random drug testing ofstudents in extra-curricular activities.

School is a place to learn and grow. Sports, band, clubs, choirand other extracurricular activities are part of the whole highschool experience. Why are people trying to ruin it?

There is no reason high school students should be forced to takedrug tests. If you participate in a sport, and there is reasonablecause to believe that a you may be using drugs to enhance yourperformance, then yes, you should be tested. When it comes to thestudents in band, clubs and other activities, I see no purpose inhaving them tested.

So what if the flute player comes to practice a little high? He orshe is not trying to unfairly enhance his or her performance. He orshe is simply experimenting with what much of America already has.

Think about it: would anybody really notice this one stonedflutist? Does anyone really care? This has been going on since beforeour parents were in high school. Do you really think it is going tochange now?

There are students who are going to do drugs regardless of whetherthey are at school, at the mall or in their homes. Peer pressure is abitch. Despite schools’ efforts at prevention, many students do notthink twice about breaking the rules. If they do use drugs and aretested, there is always a way around it.

Let’s be honest here, everyone knows there is a way to pass thesetests. The question is, do these kids know how to do it? My guesswould be they already know or are soon going to find out.

Some people are arguing that our youth are getting used to thedrug culture and are forming habits for the rest of their lives.What? Coffee is a habit that lasts the rest of our lives. And keep inmind, the more the authorities say, “Don’t do it,” the more theaverage rebellious teenager will want to.

This should not come as a shock. They are young. They want toexperiment. They want to do what everyone else is doing. If you arelucky, your child will remember what you instilled in him or her, andknow when this phase needs to end.

Drug testing is not the answer to stop drug use in our highschools. We need to start at the top, with our government’s policies.But I really don’t need to get on that topic, now do I?

Eliminating drugs in our high schools, let alone our entirecountry, is unrealistic. High school students deserve their privacyand their right to participate in any extracurricular activities theychoose without having their right to privacy infringed upon.

I realize that the government is concerned with the health of ournation. I also recognize that drugs are a problem. I understand thegovernment’s need to do the right thing.

However, I didn’t know violating our constitutional rights was theright thing to do, did you?

–Gina Chacon is a journalism junior.

–This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of TheDaily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com.Anonymous letters will not be printed — include your full name,major and year in school.