Verbal drug testing in schools generates civil liberties concerns

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette interviewed our political director, Whitney Taylor, about the state's new opioid law, which requires that students receive verbal drug testing in schools.

Whitney Taylor, political director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, said the concept of verbal screenings “is one of those situations where, on the surface, this is a good idea when we talk about intervention and making sure that young people aren’t having problems with drugs.” ...

“Are schools going to be making this available in multiple languages, not just on the Internet? We have to deal with families that don’t have access to Internet in their homes, as well as families who may have parents who speak another language, and making sure if there truly is an opt out, it’s shared with everybody in that school community so that they can understand it.” ...

Also, Ms. Taylor wondered what would happen if a student being spoken to mentioned that his parents use drugs.

"Is this now something where law enforcement is brought in - a situation where somebody in the system feel that it’s their responsibility to bring in law enforcement?” Who knows if this student knows what’s going on, and by the way, it’s a huge violation of families’ privacy and what goes on there, besides the fact of, you’re asking a youthful third party questions that they might not be able to comment on.”

Full story: 'Verbal screenings' in schools to fight opioid use sound privacy alarm