Education Rights Center
at Howard University School of Law
A Research Center Promoting Educational Equity for All Students
MS-Controlled Substances
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Student use or possession of controlled substances may lead to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion.[183] However, the use or possession of drugs at school does not require criminal punishment.[185] School districts may act in other ways to protect students. For instance, they may drug test students who participate in extracurricular activities, even without the parent's or guardian's permission.[186] The only requirement to initiate random testing is a showing that student drug use is affecting students' health or safety in the extra-curricular activities.[187]
References:
[183] See, e.g., In the Interest of T.H., III, supra note 8 ("The Board of Trustees may constitutionally proscribe consumption of alcohol within limits"); Jones, supra note 11; Warren County, supra note 11 at 460; Covington County, supra note 11.
[184] Miss. Code Ann. § 97-32-9.
[185] Op.Atty.Gen. No. 98-0587, Zebert, Oct. 9, 1998.
[186] Op.Atty.Gen. No. 2006-00513, Montgomery, 2006 WL 3824135 (August 20, 2006). See also § Miss. Code Ann. 37-11-53. In Todd v. Rush County Schools the court ruled that such searches do not violate students' rights under the Fourth Amendment. Todd, 133 F.3d 984 (7th Cir. 1998).
[187] Guidelines set forth in Todd, supra note 186, govern in evaluating the legality of school board policy on the matter. Op.Atty.Gen. No. 99-0606, Harlow, November 12, 1999; Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-18. See also New Jersey v. T.L.O., supra note 6 (reasonableness standard); Vernonia School Distirct 47J v. Acton, 515 U.S. 646 (1995).
[188] In the Interest of T.H., III, supra note 8.
References:
[183] See, e.g., In the Interest of T.H., III, supra note 8 ("The Board of Trustees may constitutionally proscribe consumption of alcohol within limits"); Jones, supra note 11; Warren County, supra note 11 at 460; Covington County, supra note 11.
[184] Miss. Code Ann. § 97-32-9.
[185] Op.Atty.Gen. No. 98-0587, Zebert, Oct. 9, 1998.
[186] Op.Atty.Gen. No. 2006-00513, Montgomery, 2006 WL 3824135 (August 20, 2006). See also § Miss. Code Ann. 37-11-53. In Todd v. Rush County Schools the court ruled that such searches do not violate students' rights under the Fourth Amendment. Todd, 133 F.3d 984 (7th Cir. 1998).
[187] Guidelines set forth in Todd, supra note 186, govern in evaluating the legality of school board policy on the matter. Op.Atty.Gen. No. 99-0606, Harlow, November 12, 1999; Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-18. See also New Jersey v. T.L.O., supra note 6 (reasonableness standard); Vernonia School Distirct 47J v. Acton, 515 U.S. 646 (1995).
[188] In the Interest of T.H., III, supra note 8.