With no reason to do so, schools should not give athletes drug tests in order to be on the team. Although certain privacy rights are given up when joining a team, drug tests with no suspicions of drug use are not necessary for student athletes.

In the Vernonia School District v. Acton case, a seventh grader wanted to try out for the football team and along with that came random drug tests throughout the school year. After refusing the drug test, he was suspended from the football team. He and his parents attempted suing the school, arguing the unreasonable search was a violation of his privacy. The school later won the case, stating that when joining a sports team you are giving up some privacy rights and must follow certain rules.

This case raised the question of whether a student’s privacy can be violated in school especially after committing to a team. At certain schools student’s rights can be violated even when not on a team, but not much can be done when the school is able to do these things. Even when it’s taking a drug test on a random basis just to be a part of a team.

In New Jersey a similar situation came about, when a student was caught smoking at school and then a teacher searched her belongings. Without permission of the student to do so, the teacher found marijuana along with other substances and the student faced punishments.

Unlike in the Vernonia School District v. Acton case, the student from New Jersey had already been causing problems at school which led to her being searched. If she hadn’t raised any suspicions then it could have been a violation of her privacy but the situation played out differently after she had been caught smoking on school property.

Here at Triton, some student’s that may have raised suspicions from teachers have been asked to show them their pockets or sleeves to justify the situation. Teachers are allowed to ask students if they are up to anything, but when asking them to pull out their pockets especially if the student was not doing anything they may feel their privacy is being violated.

Although teachers have he right to communicate with students if they see something suspicious, asking them to pull out their pockets, I’d say is an invasion of privacy.

All students surrender some privacy rights while at school, but here at Triton, like at most schools, it’s not required to take several drug tests at such a young age just to be a part of a team. I understand drug tests for professional athletes, but drug testing 12 year olds in order for them to play a sport I view as an invasion of privacy.

Student athletes may have fewer rights than an average student, for example at Triton athletes have to be in school by 9 a.m. to practice and have to attend classes in order to participate in games. But, frequent drug tests throughout the school year for athletes should not be an aspect in playing a sport. With no reason to drug test athletes it’s unnecessary and I think an invasion of their privacy.