Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, March 13, 2008

State Supreme Court rules against random drug tests for high school athletes

By Kaitlin Manry
Herald Writer

 The Washington State Supreme Court ruled today that random drug testing of student athletes is unconstitutional, raising questions about a controversial program in Lake Stevens.

Lake Stevens High School is one of the few in the state that uses random drug tests. In a controversial move, the school began testing students involved in extracurricular activities for drugs in 2006.

It’s unclear how the court decision will impact drug testing at Lake Stevens. District officials were not immediately available for comment.

The court unanimously ruled in support of a challenge brought against the Wahkiakum School District's policy of random urine tests of middle school and high school student athletes.

The court was split on how far-reaching a ban on drug testing should be.

Full text of the ruling is here:

http://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.showOpinion&filename=789461MAJ
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