John, T. (2016, January 29). Should students be drug tested at school? Retrieved April 24, 2017, from http://www.centeronaddiction.org/the-buzz-blog/should-students-be-drug-tested-school#.WQgZYlLMzBJ
In the article by Tiffany John, a research associate at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, she explains exactly what goes on when drug tests are administered. “Drug tests are usually in the form of a urinalysis, which detects marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, PCP and opioids. The stated goal of such programs is to identify students with possible substance abuse issues and to intervene early.” The goal for drug testing is to prevent future excessive use of drugs. In order to prevent these students from using drugs and later on
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However, should our best interest be in making sure these students have a great future? Shouldn’t we be the ones to help prevent our future from failing or help them overcome their struggles? Drug testing is the start to help students who may be going down the road of addiction. “Students have a built-in reason to resist to peer pressure, a well-known reason why kids experiment with drugs”, this time in a child’s life is the most confusing because they are exposed to thing they might not know the risks of but because Tom’s friend Jerry is using it then it must be okay. Peer pressure is everywhere in the world but if you eliminate drugs in a school environment then that is one less things school would have to worry …show more content…
No one can make decisions for these teens nor tell them how to live their lives. In addition, if schools began to be the main proponent to educate and communicate the dangers of drugs students would be aware and prepared to “Just Say No.” It should also be very clear to students that if caught under the influence or with drugs on hand, there will be consequences. Regardless, by law if someone under the age of 21 is using drugs, they will deal with the consequences and have to pay for their actions by law. Tampering with drugs at such a young age just because everyone around you is doing it should not be a reason to go began using drugs. Peer pressure can really encourage a behavior that will result in bad
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.
Mckinney, Joseph R. "The Effectiveness and Legality of Random Student Drug Testing Programs Revisited." RandomStudentDrugTesting.org. 2005. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.
The United States government projected $25 million to support schools in school-based drug testing and other drug-free programs. In 2003, many schools across the nation provided their own funding for student drug testing programs. The President wants to increase this program for 2005. He also wants to continue funding for ONDCP. This media campaign sends anti-drug messages to young adults via web sites, functions, and events on drug awareness. This approach will include information for parents and youth to encourage early intervention against drug use in 2005.
In today’s society, everybody is encountered with drugs at least once. The reason for this is due to family, friends, or references in the media. Teenagers are often influenced by their peers to do drugs, and they need to be tested at their schools to prevent adolescents from partaking in this activity because the number of their peers will diminish. However, there are people who believe that testing students is against their constitutional rights. On the other hand, there are those who believe that it needs to be done to protect adolescents from using illegal drugs. Drug testing needs to take place in schools to protect all students from the physical and emotional toll on the body.
Many people view drug testing in schools as a good aspect of our school systems. Schools require random drug testing for students in sports. These rates show that random drug testing lower illegal substance use. A pro for random drug testing, can be that it helps regulate the use of drugs in our teenagers. If a teenager happens to test positive, the school and parents can take immediate action to stop the problem before it progresses. They can refer the student to a counselor or if needed to a rehab center. If students know they can be randomly tested, they can see this as a sign to get help. Drug testing can make schools safer and also lower the rates of drug use in schools.
The ethics of drug testing has become an increased concern for many companies in the recent years. More companies are beginning to use it and more people are starting more to have problems with it. The tests are now more than ever seen as a way to stop the problems of drug abuse in the workplace. This brings up a very large question. Is drug testing an ethical way to decide employee drug use? It is also very hard to decide if the test is an invasion of employee privacy. “The ethical status of workplace drug testing can be expressed as a question of competing interests, between the employer’s right to use testing to reduce drug related harms and maximize profits, over against the employee’s right to privacy, particularly with regard to drug use which occurs outside the workplace.” (Cranford 2) The rights of the employee have to be considered. The Supreme Court case, Griswold vs. Connecticut outlines the idea that every person is entitled to a privacy zone. However this definition covers privacy and protection from government. To work productively especially when the work may be physical it is nearly impossible to keep one’s privacy. The relationship between employer and employee is based on a contract. The employee provides work for the employer and in return he is paid. If the employee cannot provide services because of problems such as drug abuse, then he is violating the contract. Employers have the right to know many things about their employees.
“A medical dictionary defines a drug as ‘any substance that when taken into the living organism may modify one or more of its functions’” (Newton 12). However, when speaking of drug testing for abuse a person is usually thinking about illegal drugs or drugs that can alter athletic performance in sporting events. Mandatory drug testing was not allowed in public schools until June 2002 when the Supreme Court allowed for public schools to do random drug testing (Carroll 23). This decision allowed for drug testing in all schools throughout the United States not just for athletes but also students who are in any activities within the school, for example clubs and competitive events (Carroll 23). Even though drug testing is now allowed by the Supreme Court many schools do not yet have mandatory drug test policies. Mandatory drug testing for high school athletes should be required because it decreases drug use in schools, is relatively inexpensive, and can prevent drug use and or abuse that can lead to a lifelong addiction.
One story that does go against the grain is the one of Planned Parenthood. The shooting that occurred in Colorado left three dead and nine injured which does not constitute as a mass shooting. Due to the fact that Planned Parenthood has always been a part of controversy among the nation, this story was big enough to make the front pages of the news. All news outlets covered the story from ABC News to Fox News and all their articles show similarities and differences. In the ABC News story there was twenty-seven mini paragraphs deciphering the occurrences that day. They covered who the shooter was, how long he was in Planned Parenthood for, and how many people were dead and injured. The article also added some background information here and there. Then turning to the FOX News article, there are five mini articles and a video with the news coverage. They
Doing random drug tests could also cause students' drug use rates to go down. This could prevent multiple career-ending decisions
Teenagers are teenagers, they’re going to experiment, that’s just how today’s society is, but you can help them be more aware of what they may choose to experiment with. Be an involved parent, inform your child on the causes of using drugs, before they even begin to think about drugs. Help your child to surround themselves with people that are going to help encourage them not to do drugs. If your child is already on the verge, or has already started using drugs, it’s not too late, there always a chance for them to come to there senses. Don’t give up on your child, when they may need your support the most.
After interviewing my teenage cousin whom has been in several altercations at home and school, enlightened me on the ways that teenagers in her age group gets involved in drug use. Kids start as young as ten years of age using, selling, and experimenting with drugs. My teenage cousin was expelled from public schools when she started experimenting with drugs. She was surrounded by many challenges when she enrolled in the alternative behavioral school. Many students, whom attend the alternative behavioral school use drugs, sell drugs, are on probation, have been arrested, engage in sexual activity and drink alcohol.
Mandatory drug testing is proven to help reduce the number of kids who do drugs (Journal of General
High school students are leaders to younger kids and many others in their community. As a leader these student must show others what good character is like, but instead they are destroying their lives by doing drugs. In the past decade the drug use among high school students is on the rise once again. With the internet, their exposure to drugs is much greater. High school students are convinced that they are able to get away with using drugs. These drug addicts soon influence other students into doing the drugs because there isn’t a rule preventing drug use. In order to protect these student’s future, drug tests must be enforced among all students ensuring a safe environment for students to learn successfully. Allowing random drug testing in high schools will shy away students from trying these harmful drugs. The stop of drug use among high school students is crucial because drugs prevents student from learning leading them to dropping out of high school. Students that become overwhelmed by these harmful drugs will ruin their lives forever, but if steered in the right direction they can be saved.
The second reason is to help promote a healthy lifestyle for students. Teachers believe that by engaging students in drug education programs, it can help to benefit the well-being of the students so that healthy lifestyles are reached to the fullest potentials. Lastly, teachers have found it to be important because teachers can act as a partner with parents, guardians, and other members of the community, in order to ensure that students are being provided with accurate and developmentally appropriate drug education. The school can provide knowledge to students in an area that is sometimes difficult for parents, guardians, and the community to talk about. The second step towards the implementation of drug education is for teachers to look at the support that will be given towards the teaching.
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.