Debate rages over student drug testing

[flashl]

Charleston Daily Mail
August 4, 2008

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Debate over drug testing students is vigorous as more county school systems in West Virginia consider the possibility.

Franklin Crabtree believes random drug tests might discourage a high school student from participation in sports or other after-school activities, which could hurt their chances of getting into college.

Jack Wiseman says students should face consequences when they break the rules.

Anti-drug testing advocates like Crabtree, executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, say drug testing high school students poses plenty of pitfalls that area educators should consider.

...

The Drug Policy Alliance promotes policy alternatives to the drug war that are grounded in science, health and human rights, according to its Web site.

Rosenbaum said random tests create a cynicism in teenagers at a time when they learn American civics. "This is anything but innocent until proven guilty," she said.

[Ezlivin]

1. Drug testing is 100% effective

...at putting money into the testing companies' bank accounts.

When I was back in high school in the early seventies we had no drug testing. Marijuana was everywhere. Guess what? People graduated, got jobs, had families and did well. And all without the hysteria we have today.

How in the world was that possible? Why weren't planes falling from the sky and the roads littered with the debris from drug-induced vehicle accidents?

The seventies. God I miss them.

[ixion]

2. The seventies: The Last Decade We Were Still Human Beings

in my opinion.

[elehhhhna]

3. TX tested thousands of HS athletes for steroids last year...

and "caught" 2.

[BalancedGoat]

5. Steriods aren't the reason, just the excuse. n/t

[BalancedGoat]

4. It's part of a self-fulfilling prophesy

If you make it impossible for drug users to get decent jobs and to participate in school activities that contribute to college admissions it make it a lot easy to perpetuate many of the negative stereotypes regarding drug users.

[hacktivist]

6. I agree

I never thought of it that way *puts down the joint and thinks*

We nobody has even brought up the civil rights ramifications. Drug testing is a violation of the 5th amendment's. Nobody in this country should be forced to turn over evidence against themselves.

Not to mention the majority of drug USERS are non-violent recreational users. Thoes who can control their drug use should be left to do what they please. those with honest addiction problems should be given the help they need, not locked way with murderers and rapists.

[duhneece]

7. Our school district also debating drug testing

Our local school district is debating the same issue. We, in New Mexico, have the Drug Policy Alliance as an amazing resource. I asked them for help and they sent me booklets, "Why Educators are saying No to drug testing." Our Letters to the Editor and the comments are heavy with threads, here's one written by Julie Roberts of the NM Drug Policy Alliance-would love to see more comments:
http://www.topix.com/forum/source/alamogordo-daily-news/T9UD4M8CVQDJ4HMRV
"The Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico joins thousands of other teachers, parents, and school officials in addition to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Education Association in opposing student drug testing because the programs are potentially counterproductive.
...the only national, peer-reviewed study ever conducted on random student drug testing which compared 94,000 students in almost 900 U.S. schools with and without a drug testing program and found virtually no difference in illegal drug use. Random student drug testing does not prevent drug use or addiction, and can actually promote more unhealthy behaviors in young people such as less positive attitudes toward school, and eroded trust between students and adults.

We must adopt policies that provide science-based drug education promoting open and honest communication with young people. We must also make sure that we support our students who do get in trouble with drugs by providing counseling, substance abuse treatment, and other supportive services.

Truly effective drug prevention is more than just a video, or a day spent discussing drugs at school, or an unproductive drug testing policy. We all want healthy students, families, and communities, and this begins by building a network of trust, support, and honest drug education to help our young people succeed."

[kenichol]

8. Part of the War

Random student drug testing has become an integral part of the "War on Drugs'" Profit Division! It does not reduce drug use among students, which I assume is the selling point.

[JonLP24]

9. Urine testing is unfair

smoke a little refeer you're dirty for awhile, use coke or meth every friday night and you're clean by Monday.

[RedCappedBandit]

10. Drug testing should be banned, imo