Persuasive Essay On Drug Testing In Schools

Substance abuse is a major health issue that could lead to potential health problems later on in life due to continues use. According to the Risk Behavior Survey (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) “more than 25% of students nation wide have been offered, sold, or given illegal drugs on school property.” Adolescence who abuse substances are at risk of long- term impairment of cognitive ability and memory, lack of motivation and self –discipline, and have reduced school attendance. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2007) While some professional organizations may disagree with randomly drug testing students, some schools who have adopted student drug testing are hoping it will serve as a deterrent and give students a reason to resist peer pressure to take drugs, a reason to quit if they have started using drugs, and finally a way to get help for their drug problem if they can not quit.
Peer pressure can be a major influencing factor for adolescents to use drugs or alcohol. By school districts implementing a drug testing policy, it can create a school climate that allows students to have the courage to say no to using drugs. For students who are active in after school activities or sports it provides them with solid reasons not to start using drugs and keeps them involved in positive, drug free, social groups and
activities.
The earlier teens use any substance, the greater risk of addiction. (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 2011) Schools that administer drug testing are hoping that early intervention will help youth who are using quit drugs before it leads to addiction, and deter others from starting to use. Using drugs interferes with the ability to learn and may disrupt others trying to learn. (“You are caught with drugs,” n.d.) Substance abuse is also correlated with antisocial and violent behavior, such as bringing guns and knives to school, as well as other risk taking behaviors. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2007). Schools want to students to feel safe and be able learn in an environment that is free from violence, drugs, and crime. Identifying these youth and linking them to the appropriate interventions helps increase a positive, healthy, and safe school environment.
Finally, adolescents who use drugs often come from home environments that present mixed messages to teens about the risks of substance use.
(The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 2011) Living in an environment that does not identify the risks, or is the common source of addictive substances, (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 2011) makes it difficult for youth to stop. Schools that implement drug testing use this as an opportunity to educate, and link these youth to appropriate interventions necessary and at the same time provide a supportive safe environment that could aide in the youth’s
recovery.