Indiana Court Limits School Drug Testing August 25, 2000
News Summary
The Indiana Court of Appeals unanimously ruled against random school drug testing, stating that testing should only be done if there is suspicion of drug use, the Indianapolis Star reported Aug. 22.According to the Indiana appellate judges, students can't be forced to submit to drug tests in exchange for driving privileges, playing sports or taking part in after-school activities. Such testing, the judges ruled, violated the Indiana Constitution's protection against unreasonable searches.
The ruling overturns the drug-testing policy of Northwestern Schools near Kokomo, Ind. "This is a very damaging decision at a time when we're charging school officials with greater responsibility for the health and safety of our children," said Frank Bush, executive director of the Indiana School Boards Association.
About 26 percent of Indiana school districts have some form of random drug-testing program in place.
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