February 9, 2005

Testing students for drugs: right or wrong?

The controversial issue of drug testing in public schools has raised questions about the lines between the students’ right to privacy versus the school’s right to maintain a drug-free environment. High school students and state leaders will discuss the issue of random drug testing in schools at a Town Hall Meeting from 1 to 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10 in room 4203 at the State Capitol.

In addition to questions surrounding concerns about civil liberties, the meeting will also address recent legislation related to the testing of high school athletes and legislation that would prohibit drug and alcohol testing without reasonable suspicion.

Students from various high schools from around the state will attend the meeting, and hundreds of other students will watch a live broadcast of the meeting on California Channel. The meeting will be moderated by California State University, Sacramento professor Paula Gardner, and panelists include Assembly members Jackie Goldberg, D-Los Angeles, and Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta.

The LegiSchool Project is an award-winning civic education collaboration between Sacramento State and the State Legislature, administered by the Center for California Studies. The project’s mission is to engage young people in matters of public policy and state government in order to create a more engaged citizenry.

More information is available by contacting LegiSchool Project Director Kolleen Ostgaard at (916) 278-6906 or by visiting the LegiSchool website at www.csus.edu/legischool/. Media assistance is available by contacting the University’s public affairs office at (916) 278-6156.

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