Drug Testing in Schools Drug testing in schools is a very controversial issue with strong opponents and proponents. The controversy comes down to legality, safety, and privacy, with both sides of the argument having different perspectives on each. Drug testing for schools is a fairly recent development in the educational system, supposedly aimed at fighting an evolving drug problem in the United States. One side of the argument concludes that random drug testing is harmful, infringes on students’ rights, and is ineffective at solving the drug problem. “The first large-scale national study on student drug testing found no difference in schools that have drug testing programs and those that do not” (Appel). Side A claims that drug testing …show more content…
Side B believes that drug testing is not only effective, but it is legal and necessary. The point is made that random student drug testing programs (RSDT) have no negative impact on classroom, as observed by principals of schools that implemented an RSDT program (McKinney). In fact, “High schools with RSDT programs exceeded the state average for test scores on the state-mandated graduation test as well as exceeding the state average for graduation rates” (McKinney). Side B also states that RSDT is legal, as ruled by several state and federal courts, and that it is one of the few effective, legal ways to remove drugs from schools. According to a study, RSDT does not affect participation either as “0% of the high schools surveyed reported a reduction in student participation in athletic or extracurricular activities” and “46% of high schools reported increases in student participation in athletic activities” (McKinney). Side B takes a firm stand that drug testing is legal, effective, and does not harm to extracurriculars or …show more content…
This has been a topic that has only been recently discussed, with many concerns being raised about the application of these programs, or not having them at all. Overall, the main goal of this proposal is to come up with a plan that both satisfies the need for a drug testing program, and alleviates the concerns of those who are wary of drug testing for the reasons of legality and effectiveness. In order to solve the drug problem, there must be compromise in order to further our understanding of the issue at hand, and this proposed solution allows for compromise that all can agree on. Works Cited Appel, Judith, et al. "Random Drug Testing Is Harmful and Infringes on Students' Rights." Making Sense of Student Drug Testing: Why Educators Are Saying No. 2004. Rpt. in Students' Rights. Ed. Jamuna Carroll. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 Feb. 2017 McKinney, Joseph R. "Random Drug Testing Can Prevent Student Drug Abuse." Addiction. Ed. Christina Fisanick. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "The Effectiveness and Legality of Random Student Drug Testing Programs Revisited." RandomStudentDrugTesting.org 13 Dec. 2005. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 Feb.
In 1995 the Supreme Court stated that schools could randomly drug test their athletic students. By 2008, 16 percent of school districts had started to take on some kind of drug testing program (John 2). Even though the Supreme Court has a certain amount of ruling on who is tested at the schools, some schools have expanded their range of students, a few going all the way to the whole student body (John 2/3). One of the main reasons the supreme court ruled towards testing the student athletes is because they are supposed to be seen as the role models and influencers of the school, and outside the school. Seeing athletes doing drugs might increase the drug use of the school. (John 3). Student
The Tragic Downfall of Macbeth Imagine that one day you are walking home and these weird looking women stop you to tell you your future. They start naming accomplishments that are happening now in your life, that are about to happen in your life, and that are going to happen in the future. A little skeptical aren’t you? You don’t believe them at first but when you do, you tell your loved ones or your friends because you want everyone to know the accomplishments that are going to come your way. But what if you misinterpreted what the women said?
The great empires that flourished between 300 B.C.E and 200 B.C.E. can all be broken down into the four factors the contributed to their rise. Although each empire faced prolonged periods of conflict, all four empires succeeded in imposing unity and order among the people. The rise of these empires can be attributed to four specific factors crucial to their construction. The factors crucial to the rise of the great empires included having a centralized form of leadership with enforced uniform legal codes, having powerful military forces, a strong economy, and technological advances. Ultimately an efficiently run, centralized government along side powerful military forces caused the success of the empires however in the same not a
Some say the reason for drug testing is because some believe that students who are drug free shouldn’t be surrounded by students who aren’t drug free, or that if the child is found to be using drugs
In January of 1996, six months after the United States Supreme Court ruled that it was appropriate for Oregon’s school district 47J in Vernonia, to require student athletes in middle school and high school to participate in random, suspicionless drug tests, one percent out of the 16,000 schools in the country had brought the random drug testing into their facilities. (Taylor, Robert) Even though the Supreme Court ruled this way, they did not feel that this testing was a good idea. There had to of been some reason for this. (Bailey, William) If only one out 16,000 schools pick up on drug testing as a good idea, then there is more than likely something that the schools don’t think is right with it or they are unable to do it for some reason. Research shows that drug testing of public school athletes is not a good idea because it singles out athletes from all of the students in the school and suspects them of using drugs it is also a waste of time and money, and consists of low accuracy tests that so not always give the correct results.
My evidence for this is that athletes and students should be drug tested for drugs if they have taken any before school. But this is why kids should take any drugs or smoke. My second reason is that the teachers and staff want the other students and athletes to be safe, and don't want them to take any drugs so then it doesn’t mess with the students and athletes learning in school. My evidence is that if students and athletes take drugs it can make them be crazy, also make them not to pay attention in school and, it could mess with their grades if they are not paying attention. So you should never do drugs. Someone’s counterclaim is that people should not be drug tested all the in the school year. Their statement was that “ I think drug testing throughout the school year is stupid, because we are a good school and no one here takes drugs.”
In many high schools around the country, student athletes are using drugs. “The percent of students that have drunk alcohol is 72.5% while the number of students who have used marijuana is 36.8%” (Report: Nearly Half of High School Students Using Drugs, Alcohol). The students believe that since they are athletes that they do not need to abide by the rules because they feel more superior and that the narcotic will not hurt or affect them. Implementing random drug tests for athletes will create a positive image and not hurt others or themselves. Schools need to have drug tests for student athletes because drugs effect relationships, using drugs have consequences, and lastly they have a major effect on the body.
To begin with, it is an invasion of privacy to the students at the school. It is their business, and the school administrators do not need to be invading the privacy of what kids/young adults are contributing to outside of school. I for one would not want anyone, (especially school administrators) invading my personal privacy, exactly why drug testing should not be allowed in public schools.
Do you know someone who is a student athlete? What would you think if he/she consumed illegal drugs? What would you do if you found out he/she died from drugs? Student athletes are not aware of the long-term consequences of consuming drugs in their life. Adults need to step up and approach student athletes about the danger of the impact it can have on their life. Many student athletes will consume drugs in their teenage years to improve their performance in the sports they play. Athletes are not educated well enough in high school about the harm that a drug can do to their body. While drug testing invades the athlete's personal life, every high school should drug test their student athletes before
After examining the issues surrounding drug testing students and teachers at the school, I disagree that students and teachers should not be tested. One reason I maintain this positive is that students should not be drug tested so they won’t feel peer pressure. In the article, testing the limits, Peter V. emphasize that drug testing in schools argues that it helps teens fight the pressure to use drugs. As a teen, I have firsthand experience with my friend drinking. However student’s won’t listen, they will still do drugs. In contrast, they agree that students should not be drug tested. Peter V. analysis of testing the limits in positively Negative Results has strengthened my perspective that the students should not be drug tested because drug
Students who were randomly drug tested are less likely to continue the drug use as an adult. Studies show that when students get jobs, money, and cars they have the easiest access to drugs. Among the studies it has been found that students who have drug tests earlier in life will be less likely to continue the drug use. By drug testing young kids you can show them that there is consequences for their actions.
The big controversy right now within the government and high schools is whether or not random drug testing should be legal in schools. There are many reasons why it should not be legalized, one reason being it goes against the fourth amendment. Why should we have testing in schools when many major health organizations oppose it? All it will do is make teens turn to other illegal and counterproductive things. These are many reasons why drug testing should not be allowed in high schools.
Stated simply, the word myth, derived from the Greek word mythos, means story (Morford et al., p.3). However, this is an immense understatement; myth is a rich and interpretive source of information. Its value lies in the interpretation of its relationship with humanity and how it influenced, or was influenced by ancient society and culture. Myth has persisted to fascinate people by exploring the meeting place between human desires and morals. Myth uses symbolic characters and fantastic stories to portray the truths and complexities of what it means to be human.
In the United States, 27.2 percent of high school student participated in illicit drug use. While this number has lowered in the past two decades, dug use among teens is still a large issue. To combat this problem many schools have opted to drug test their students. Schools do have the right to drug test their students but there are constitutional limits in which a school can require mandatory drug testing. The constitutional limits include; health risks and personal injury risks.
Many high schools across the country have brought much attention to the idea of giving random drug tests to students in high school. The newfound interest in student drug testing may be as a result of recent polls, which have shown an increase in drug use among high school students. Many teachers, parents, and members of school comities are for the drug testing, while most students and some parents feel that this would be a violation of students rights as Americans, which is true.