Vernonia School District Vs. Acton Case

The Vernonia School District vs Acton case is a significant example of the continuing controversy in a free society about how to balance the country's legitimate needs for order and safety against the individual's constitutional rights to liberty.

In the 1990’s, the Vernonia School District, discovered that drug use was increasing with its students. It was believed that the student athletes were users and dealers. That this heavy drug use was the cause of excessive injuries happening in football and wrestling. The drug use was affecting discipline in the classroom and on the playing field.

James Acton was a 12 year old middle schooler who wanted to join his school’s football team. In order to join the team all athletes were required to …show more content…
The Court’s decision found that schools have an obligation to all students and they must balance a student’s right to privacy with the need to make school campuses safe and keep student athletes from drug use and its effects. Teachers, administrators and coaches have the custodial obligation to protect health and well-being of children they oversee. The Justices felt that since the drug testing policy only required the athletes to provide a urine sample, it was deemed a very limited invasion of privacy and was similar to using public restrooms. According to them "Students who voluntarily participate in school athletics have reason to expect intrusions upon normal rights and privileges, including privacy." The Supreme Court felt that some privacy rights of students are surrendered when they attend school and under State supervision during school hours. Schools set up specific rules and students are subject to disciplinary action if those rules are broken. The court also noted that student athletes have even fewer rights of their privacy and must follow additional rules that don’t apply to other students. "School sports are not for the bashful," the Court responded. Athletes must be willing to shower and change in locker rooms which also minimizes their privacy. Athletes must also participate in getting physical exams and maintaining a respectable grade point average to participate in school sports, these are not required …show more content…
The 1990’s were a time of promoting a “drug-free” society, especially in schools. Students using drugs were believed to be promoting a drug culture and this would not be tolerated. This cases made the public - both young and old - aware that in certain circumstances and situations, one’s rights can be subject to question. The Supreme Court ruling represented an example of interpreting the Fourth Amendment to enable those in authority to act quickly against the use of and dealing of illegal drugs, and was not a case denying Fourth Amendment protection to those involved in those types of

Show More

Related Documents: Vernonia School District Vs. Acton Case

Argumentative Essay: Random Searches In Schools