Why We Should Be Drug Tested In Schools

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.

Resourse officers, teachers, and administrators with experience in this practice of drug searches often discover talking about the drug problem wasn't enough and action is needed. High school students do and think whatever they want. I know this because I am a high school student. Mary White, who is a principal at Longmont High School, reported that "we had used the tradional methoods of drug education. We had brought in speakers to talk to the parents and the kids but that didn't seem to be enough." (Robinson) Obviously, students make their own desicons no matter if it's good or bad for them. This kind of search and seizure pratice leads the students to not listen because the want to be rebilous and want to try different things in life. According

The testing causes teens to become more aware and careful but it will not stop from them smoking. It is a waste of money and time because those kids are making their own decisions to resort to drugs. The government cannot make the decisions for the people only guide them in the right direction. The researches found that female rates of drug abuse went down in the high school community only in the schools with a “positive” environment. That shows that females who thought that what they were doing was wrong then had the resources to stop doing so because life got harder for those in a harsh environment since more pressure was put on to keep there actions under the table. People, especially youth, will do what they want to do no matter what. The best thing for the government to do is give students the ability to learn from whatever decision they make and use that tax money for something more productive for the nation. If the government really wants to see an improvement in the use of drugs in high schools then they should improve the environments and knowledge presented to the students about drug use. Once a student fails a random drug test their plan for their future can change extremely. Like me for instance, if one of our students failed a drug test at school then they would be asked to leave which means losing the opportunity to represent a highly respected team and would most likely lose a scholarship. That’s years of practice and

In the article “Drug-Testing Reduces Students' Drug Use, Study Says.” It is statistically proven that drug testing reduces students drug use. “Students involved in school random drug testing reported less substance use than their peers in high school, that didn’t have drug testing programs.” (Samuels). If students want to be involved in extracurricular activities, they will stop the drug abuse if a drug test was mandatory just to be able to do so. Extracurricular activities is a privilege not a right and will continue to be. Drug testing could change so many lives and people really fail to comprehend that just because of the amount of the test behind it. On an average 47,000 people lose their lives to drugs a year. It could be possible that half of those were teenagers.

But with the random drug testing of the students in school the drug use spiked down a lot. This goes to show that drug testing is very useful for students.

I understand that in Braxton High School there has been an incredible increase in student arrest for drug possession during the mist of last school year. Two students died after using drugs at post prom party. The school would now like to activate random drug test. I also understand that a large group of students and parents

Steve Klotz is an assistant superintendent in Missouri at the Maryville School District. He believes that children should get drug tested at the age of thirteen or fourteen to be able to play a sport. Many agree to have drug tests in Middle school not only to scare them but to see how they would change for a sport they love. Steve said “We wanted to do it to create a general awareness of drug prevention.” His idea is to prevent students from doing drugs at a very young age. Doing drugs or dealing with drugs at this age could ruin their future. Parents should agree with implementing drug tests for

Students who were randomly drug tested were less likely to use them in later years. There is a 12% average of students in 8th grade that use drugs. New Jersey published the results of a six year study of drug-testing preventions among New Jersey Middle School students. The students asked their parents if they could get randomly drug tested, in the later years the drug abuse reduced. Almost every school now does drug testing for students engaged in sports or extracurricular activities.The primary purpose of drug testing is not a punishment, but to prevent drug abuse, and help them to become drug-free. Drug testing middle school students is a good influence, doing drugs affects the brain and body massively at a young age, many studies show positive

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.

Drug usage is dangerous. Many high school children use drugs throughout school. Sometimes the drugs they consume are synthetic. Although the children think there are no consequences, there is bound to be consequences they have to face from the drugs. Most students take advantage of their prescriptions and abuse it . Even though Marijuana is classified as a drug, it isn't really addicting.

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.

If health organizations oppose the testing why should it be allowed, obviously health care providers and researchers know what is best for the young adults. These researchers and health care providers spend their lives learning how to better the health of the American people. A few of the organizations that oppose are the: American Public Health Association, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, and ACLU . One of the reasons why ACLU opposes is because it is intrusive, also because it is an invasion of privacy to ask a kid to take a drug test . What ACLU believes is what many other organizations believe as well, this testing is an invasion of privacy, and also will be counterproductive and lead students to other destructive things.

According to Sifferlin, “the tests can also detect substances used by young people for medical reasons” (Pediatrics Group). I think we can all agree that not all students are very trustworthy. We want to believe what they say, but really it’s much better to have solid evidence as to someone’s word. If drugs can be monitored in schools and keep the students on track for good behavior and a good learning environment, then the drug tests should definitely be put into play.

“Schools are sometimes just the place where violence happens, such as in drug or gang-related attacks, but in some cases, they are the place chosen for an attack” (“School Shootings…”). Searching book bags and lockers would reduce if not stop school shootings and other weapons and contraband inside of schools. Schools have the right to search lockers and book bags with a probable cause and or a warrant. If students knew that at any given moment they could be asked to search book bags or lockers than students would not bring any contraband inside schools. Students bring the contraband to school to show off or even harm other students. They bring the drugs to sell and do and bring the weapon to scare or harm others.”About 17 percent of American high school students are drinking, smoking or using drugs during the school day, according to a new study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse” (“School Drug Use”). By searching book bags and lockers the widespread of drug trafficking would stop. Peer pressure plays a big part in this also because a kid might see their friend using drugs and start using drugs too, kids are easily influenced by their friends just to feel”cool’ or to do what’s in. ”Perhaps students bring weapons to school to feel in control -- to feel superior to the school authorities. Perhaps the students who bring weapons to school do it to rebel. What better way to plant fear into the hearts of anyone related to the educational environment? Or

Drug testing in school districts is a requirement, but are students who actually do drugs, getting drug-tested? Supposedly, “young people tend to use drugs for “kicks” or “highs” to gain approval of peers, or politically rationalized act of defiance against the established system.” For example, marijuana was the most commonly illicit drug used throughout teens. The user will, “experience some mental confusion and some loss of motor control, which eventually gives way to euphoria, [but also may experience] pleasing, fanciful perceptual distortions may develop, and, less frequently, vivid color hallucinations.” For most people, “the immediate physical reactions include an increase in the rate of the heartbeat, lowering of body temperature, and, in some people, reddening of the eyes.” There are so many risks that students do not see. For instance, driving to school high can lead to car accidents. In the classroom, “the user may distract other students.” Also, there are safety risks for students under the influence, as they are not in their right state of mind. The Canton High