School years are the time when the physical, psychological, and addictive effects of drugs are most severe . . . . Deterring drug use by our nation's schoolchildren is at least as important as enhancing efficient enforcement of the nation's laws against the importation of drugs.
- Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the majority in Vernonia School District 47J v. Acton (1995)
By the reasoning of today's decision, the millions of these students who participate in interscholastic sports, an overwhelming majority of whom have given school officials no reason whatsoever to suspect they use drugs at school, are open to an intrusive bodily harm . . . . Many schools, like many parents, prefer to trust their children unless given reason to do otherwise.
- Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, writing in dissent
In Justice O’Connor’s view, the school district’s drug-testing policy violates students’ constitutional protection against:
