American Notes ILLINOIS

In their American-history classes, pupils may learn that the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution demands probable cause for searches. Now the 2,100 students at Homewood-Flossmoor High School outside Chicago have learned a new lesson. Last week the school began random testing of all who take part in athletics for ten common drugs, including marijuana, cocaine and alcohol.

A weekly drawing will determine which 5% of the student athletes must submit urine samples. In addition, two athletes each week will be screened for steroids. Anyone who flunks the tests will be required to meet with a counselor. When chemical dependency is found, the culprit must enter a treatment program, and faces suspension from the team. The athlete can rejoin the squad after 30 days if he or she then tests clean. The Flossmoor plan has the support of a federal-appeals-court decision in a similar case last year as well as of 70% of the students surveyed at the school -- although nearly half of them think it is a violation of their rights.