Vernonia School Dist. 47J v. Acton

In response to rising drug use and disciplinary problems, Vernonia School District 47J (defendant) implemented a policy requiring student athletes and their parents to consent to drug testing to protect student-athlete health and safety, since drug use increases sports-injury risk; all athletes were tested at season's start with additional random weekly testing, using monitored urine samples with strict confidentiality safeguards, and positive tests led to drug assistance or sports suspension rather than police referral. James Acton (plaintiff) was barred from playing football because his parents (plaintiffs) refused to consent to testing; the plaintiffs sued for declaratory and injunctive relief, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari to assess the policy's constitutionality.