Drug Testing In Schools example essay topic

Argument: Random Drug Testing in High schools 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 com ities 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. A basic argument for the anti drug testing is the simple fact that random drug testing in schools would be an invasion of privacy. The fourth amendment to our constitution which states "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized". was put in place to protect citizens of this country against policies like the random drug tests. Without probable cause there is no need to do random drug tests, what happens to those children who have tried a drug such as "pot" and not liked it.

If a random drug test happens to take place within a month of the time that child experimented with the drug, then they will suffer great consequences depending on the rules of that school. If a school goes as far as expelling students which fail the test then what justice is that to the children which are victims of circumstance and of experimentation, which is in place in all our lives. Another problem with allowing schools to do random drug tests is the fact that we are allowing them to gain influence over the lives of students outside of school. Also giving authorities this power can easily lead to an abuse of fundamental rights, particularly those relating to privacy, dignity, and integrity. A problem that may have been overlooked by those who originally organized the idea is how the drug testing weather random or requiring consent will affect the students mentally.

Those who refuse to give consent to be tested, or whose parents refuse consent, might face discrimination. It isn't clear weather testing serves any purpose. In some cases, a test might reveal that drugs were taken outside school hours, a time when the school has limited authority over a student. And problems might arise when drug testing is allied with issues of discipline, what right does the school have to discipline a student for actions outside of the classroom. However from the point of view of a teacher, parent or whoever is for the testing, it is done to protect the students.

Many children or young adults that experiment with drugs do not understand what the drugs can do to their minds and bodies. With the testing schools will be able to determine which students need help and can better focus on treatment, and helping the student to understand the consequences of their actions not necessarily disciplinary but on the issue of health. As far as helping the students goes it is much easier to teach the students about drugs when it is known which students are doing them or have tried them. Time will not have to be wasted by explaining, "why drugs should not be taken" to a student that is taking them wile they could focus on treatment to deter the student from taking them.

When all the arguments have been made about how schools and parents need to know what the students are doing, it all comes down to the fact of how will the students react to the testing, as well as the fact that some students react differently to privacy invasion. There is an issue of discrimination, if a child refuses many peers and authorities may jump to conclusions about the child while the truth may be that the student is just hesitant about the whole thing. It all comes back to the fourth amendment in the end. The laws in the constitution were made to protect the citizens of this country, as soon as we start letting our rights be taken from us no matter how small they may seem, it will like be opening a door just big enough for something a little larger maybe a little more controversial to get through. Leave drug testing to parents and the proper authorities, take schools out of home life and personal life and allow them to focus on what they should be, education.