Drug Testing in Public High Schools: A violation of ones rights to privacy or a safety measure?

Are public high schools allowed to drug test their students? The answer is yes however, does it violate student’s right to privacy? I believe the answer to this question is yes indeed. Every year more and more public high schools require drug testing for students to participate in extracurricular school sponsored sports, clubs, and activities. Although “There is an element of ‘communal undress’ inherent in athletic participation” (Acton) I don’t believe that alone should make it right for high school athletes to be required to submit a urine sample.
Many argue that the “Conditions of testing are nearly identical to those typically encountered in public restrooms.” (Acton) however, that does not make it any less intrusive. I do believe that “Drug abuse is one of the most serious problems confronting our society today.” (Earls) still, there are many other ways of fighting the war on drugs than to physically violate teenagers.
In Board of Education V. Earls a student was not allowed to participate in athletics because his parents did not agree to let him submit to drug tests- “All students who participate in competitive extracurricular activities are required to submit to drug testing” (Earls). The school board argued that “Public school children are routinely required to submit to various physical examinations” (Acton) However, the physical examinations required to attend school are done in a doctor’s office by licensed physicians where patients privacy is upheld.
“This policy reasonably serves the School District’s important interest in detecting and preventing drug use among its students, we hold that it is constitutional.” (Earls) I admire the School’s ambition to want to end and deter drug use among its students, however, it CAN NOT be at the expense of the student’s right to keep their bodily fluids to themselves and free from being drug tested.