Ask your legislators to oppose legislation to drug test all public school students

Legislation to implement random drug testing for all public school students, Senate Bill 716, has been introduced this session by Sen. Melodie Aduja (D).

Random drug testing of all students is not only a foolish investment, it is a gross invasion of privacy. Urine testing can be a humiliating process, and when performed in front of a teacher or complete stranger, it is even worse.

While drug-free schools are a noble goal, random drug testing is the wrong way to achieve it. This policy would harm even those children who are completely drug-free. Many "false positives" occur when legal substances, such as over-the-counter cough syrups, trigger positive results for an illegal drug. When this happens, everyone loses: Students face mandatory treatment or even suspension, and they may be stigmatized in ways that do more harm than good to children and adolescents.

Only you can influence your legislators to vote against this harmful legislation. Please take a few minutes to Take Action now. After you choose your favorite pre-written letter and type in your address, our site will automatically determine who your state legislators are and e-mail your letter to them … all with the click of a few buttons. The whole process takes less than two minutes but makes a world of difference. Also, please take a look at the legislation itself as Senate Bill 716 is posted on Hawaii's Bills Pending page.

Rather than relying on inaccurate tests, schools should institute policies to deal openly and honestly with drug use. Please pass this message on to friends and relatives to rally opposition to this harmful legislation.