Persuasive Essay: Drug Testing In Schools

Drug Testing in Schools Normal everyday school: suffocating smoke coming from the restroom, trading money for “goods” at lunch, and popping pills before fourth block. There are illegal drugs present in most schools, readily available to students. A drug test will test for any illicit drugs a student might have taken. There can be random or mandatory testing in schools if a policy is adopted. Unfortunately, most schools do not have a drug testing policy. More drug testing in schools would diminish the number of students that come to school on drugs. Most schools do not test their students for drugs (LaMance). Testing the entire school would cost more money. The school only tests the required students stated in the policy, if the school has one adopted. Schools are not required to have a drug testing policy. There is not a law, state or federal, that mandates a school to
adopt a policy (“Board Policies”). The schools are not forced to adopt a policy (LaMance). Even if the school had a drug testing policy, the whole school would not have to be tested. The only students that would have to be tested would be the students that are in clubs or sports (LaMance).
There are different ways to test for drugs. The school will use one of the following methods to test for illicit drugs: urine, blood, mouth swab, sweat, or even hair (Dr. Chris). These methods are covered in the school’s specific drug testing policy. The accuracy of the test can be altered depending on which method is used to conduct it. Drugs tested for include cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and/or cannabis etc.; any illicit drugs will be tested. If a student tests positive then he will be banned from sports, clubs, and after-school activities or other consequences may occur (LaMance). If the student is on a sports team, he will be kicked off (“Caught With Drugs”). Players are prohibited from using performance enhancing drugs. Depending on the policy the school adopts, the rules will explain more specifically the details of different consequences. Students that choose to participate in a random drug test and who test positive will not have the same and/or lessened consequences (LaMance). If a student were to refuse to take a drug test, the student will be assumed positive. Unfortunately, the student will be suspicious of having drugs in her system. Even if the reason the student did not want to take the drug test was because he was not comfortable with the method, the student will still be falsely marked positive. The students that stay after school and participate in clubs, extra after-school activities, or sports are the least likely to do drugs, and yet they are the only ones to be tested a lot of the time (Boire). More than just these students should be tested. If a student tests positive for drugs, and is then banned from extra activities, then it could give the student more time to do drugs (Boire). Instead, it should be mandatory for a student to join a club so that the student can be supervised and have less time for drugs. Drug testing is a way to prevent students from taking or even getting addicted to drugs.
Testing was never intended to be a punishment for students ("Frequently Asked Questions”).
Substance abuse prevention can and should be viewed as a common concern of employers, employees and students. Most people do not engage in illicit drug use or want to deal with the complications of working or studying with drug abusers. When misunderstandings about the testing process are clarified, drug testing has been proven a deterrent to illegal drug use and a way for workplaces and schools to be proactive in substance abuse prevention (“Questions and Answers”).
Drug testing works to deter students from drugs whether they (student, parents, faculty) like the process or not. Some students see drug testing as an invasion of their privacy, but these tests do help the students ("Frequently Asked Questions”). Most schools, students, and even parents think that drug testing is pointless and a waste of time. If students are taking drugs, testing can help them by placing them in a rehab or recovery
program. School drug testing helps the school treat the students who test positive instead of just guessing or not knowing at all, and not being able to help the students that need it ("Frequently Asked Questions”). If a student is tested once, then she should come back for follow up tests. If tested positive again then the student will be considered to have an addiction and the school will be able to place the student in a recovery program ("Frequently Asked Questions”). Another way to help the student is having a counselor assigned to the student who can help them with whatever problems she may be having. The counselor can make sure everything is going well and that the student is not showing signs of using drugs again ("Frequently Asked Questions”). The majority of students will use drugs before they graduate (Boire). It is up to the school district or school board to institute a drug testing policy. The policy that is adopted will determine everything such as the date and what time the tests will be conducted. It will also determine the methods used to conduct the drug tests. The policy will also explain who will pay for the tests (LaMance). Drug testing has been the same for about 35 years. Since the 1980s there has only been drug testing for the students who are in sports or clubs ("Drug Testing”). Instead of just the clubs and sports testing should be for the whole school. Every student in both high school and middle school should be tested ("Drug Testing”). Now more than ever drugs are integrated into the schools. Drug testing is to prevent drug use in schools, and to create a healthy environment for students (Beyers). There are drugs in many schools; therefore, every school district should adopt a drug testing policy. More than just the students in extracurricular activities should be tested for drugs (Boire). More drug testing in schools would diminish the number of students that come to school on drugs. “Imagine a life where all teens would escape the devastation of substance abuse and addiction. How would our world look if all of our young people were strong and healthy? I wish I knew” (Taughinbaugh).