Marijuana.com

Lothar121

School Drug Testing Just Doesn't Work
Pete Guither | Pantagraph.com | 08/07/06

Once again, a school is considering the disgusting and reprehensible practice of making children pee in a cup while their teacher listens ("Drug testing now policy in district," July 31, page A5).

It's only for those who want to be in music or some other competitive activity, but that doesn't make it better. It makes it incomprehensible.

First, drug testing in schools doesn't work.

The largest study ever conducted on the topic -- funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse -- found that schools that engage in drug testing have identical rates of drug use to schools that don't test their students.

But drug testing is a huge growth industry, and companies are relentless in trying to make schools feel guilty about not purchasing their product.

Second, study after study has shown that extra-curricular activities provide positive experiences that reduce the likelihood of kids using drugs. By testing only those who try out for these positive activities, you drive away the at-risk kids who could benefit, leaving them, where? On the streets?

Logically, it would make much more sense for schools to test only the kids who are not participating. But that's illegal. So in order to appear to be doing something useful, schools make the problem worse by sweeping at-risk kids under the rug.

Is there something good that schools can do? Absolutely. Put that drug testing money into band uniforms. Add more opportunities and incentives for kids to participate in activities.

And if parents want their kids tested? Go ahead. What's stopping you? These tests are easily available online or in local stores. Parents groups can raise money to subsidize them if they wish.

And if listening to a child urinate is even appropriate, it should be done by his or her parents. Not government officials or English teachers.

 

Stephanie S.

I don't really have a problem with drug testing of athletes in schools. I suppose schools have decided not to "discriminate" among extracurricular activities and test all students regardless of which activity they participate in.

In athletics, drug testing usually includes testing for steroids (I think). I prefer there not be hulking masses of teen boy muscle coming after my son on the football field. He can slam people to the ground with drugs, so should everyone else. Steroid use puts the player using and the players he is playing with at risk.

I don't think that school drug testing is supposed to be a deterrent to drug use. It is a safety measure.

Now then, random drug testing of the entire student body, seems to be a waste of time and money. Particularly in a district such as the one I teach in. None of the teachers are tested, ever. So, why should students be?


peace

__________________
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." —George W. Bush, Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005 (Listen to audio)

TehUberGeeK

seen this afew days ago.
Branson to begin random drug testing

Do US schools test for the same drugs or do they get to pick what drug they pick on?

Sec

The individual school districts can choose which type of drug testing panel they want. I would hope they choose performance enhancing and dangerous drugs such as meth, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, steroids, etc and not the rather tame mj. But, they will add mj to the panel because that way they can raise their percentage of students caught "on drugs" and justify the testing program (besides the fact that mj is an illegal drug).

__________________
Guidelines.
Search
http://www.marijuana.com/drug-test/index

Lothar121

School drug testing is being pushed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy along with President George W. Bush as a means to deter drug use.

What You Need to Know About Drug Testing in Schools - ONDCP

Just check out the propoganda piece put together by the ONDCP. They are making it sound like the silver bullet to reducing student drug use. The ONDCP is going around pushing it on schools. As Pete pointed out, the reality of the situation is this is just pushing the at-risk students further away from activities that may actually help them kick their habit.

Perhaps you could explain what you mean by a "safey measure"? Remember, it is not just atheletes being tested, it is also band and all the other activities.

__________________

Donate. Write. Make a difference.. Posting Guidelines | Marijuana Policy Project | NORML | DPA | Drug WarRant | Media Awareness Project

 

The Fin

Ah, teaching our children that we don't trust them... That oughta straighten them out!

Sigh...

Hearing about the school drug testing is depressing. It's the epitomy of big government, but from the supposedly small government party... Would only the Green party be against this nonsense?!?

Stephanie S.

Well butter my rump and call me toast! I really wasn't aware of the purpose, which is why I said, "I don't think..."
Now I know.


Now that I've studied up a bit, it is my understanding that most schools aren't even testing for steroids in athletes. Gotta love ignorant policies.

I would consider testing for drugs a safety measure, particulary in athletes for a couple of reasons. One: Steroids have a seriously negative affect on the user, making them overly aggressive which could harm others. Also, anyone participating in sports could seriously endanger their health by using various drugs. (Namely cocaine and steroids)

IMO, activities such as orchestra, chorus, any extracurricular activity are privileges. I have personal experience with having school trips cancelled due to stupid people bringing weed and/or alcohol along. Those students abused their privilege and ruined everyone else's opportunity to have a good time.

I guess the thinking is, drug testing helps kids with "peer pressure". They would be less apt to even dabble in drugs if they fear a drug test. Thus, they avoid having to "go along" with their peers when it comes to drugs.
I don't necessarily agree with that idea, but that's what I gleaned from trying to understand why schools would think that drug testing would deter drug use.


peace

dedbr

I don't want to be a part of a society that condones this.

I am fed up with the judgement and decisions of others being forced on me just because someone else thinks it's right or the best thing for my kids.

I look at the recent pole taken the other day that asked parents who you would least like your kids to marry, and the top answer over all others was athiest. Over ex-convicts, drug addicts, and other problems of our society the majority said atheist......

Does anyone besides me see anything wrong with this picture?

Makes me appreciate when my kids come home from school with something stupid and ask me why the schools are so foolish. Lordy I'm glad I've raised kids smart enough to think for themselves.......


Some Where In Ded Land.............

__________________
"Starry, starry night, Paint your pallet blue and gray, Look out on a summers day,
With eyes that know the darkness of my soul, Shadows on the hills, Sketch the trees and the daffodils, Catch the breeze and the winter chill, In colors in the snowy linen land......"

Vincent.... Don Mclean


Posting Guidelines!

Stephanie S.

Welp, my son is on the defensive line in football (whatever that is). He is face to face with some big ass dudes and I'd prefer they not be jacked up on 'roids. I would totally support testing for steroids. Anything else, not so much. If a parent doesn't know his or her kid is using, then they are dipwads.


peace

Buzzby

That would be at odds with the people who promote school drug testing. They claim that it's both a deterrent and a basis for avoiding peer pressure.

__________________