The parents of a middle school girl in Lancaster, Pennsylvania are teaming up with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to bring forth a civil rights claims lawsuit over the school's policy that mandated she participate in a random drug test.
The student, who is only identified by her initials, M.M., was told by school administrators that she needs to submit to a urine drug test to participate in school programs like choir and orchestra. Her parents did not consent to the test.
The parents of the Swift Middle School sixth-grader claimed that the drug test violates their daughter's right to privacy and are looking to prevent the school district from enforcing the policy.
''Not only are these policies a violation of students' right to privacy, numerous studies have shown they do not reduce student drug use," said ACLU of Pennsylvania Executive Director Reggie Shuford.
In addition to privacy violation, the ACLU is claiming the randomized drug tests violate a 2003 Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that demands evidence that there is widespread drug use among students before randomly testing students.
School officials have not commented on the lawsuit.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a civil rights violation, such as invasion of privacy, personal injury lawfirms in the Philadelphia area can help you assess and discuss your claim. Your lawyer may also be able to try your case in a court of law, if necessary.
