The Debate on Drug Testing Policies

By Bart Icles

Drug testing programs are not new to most offices and schools. In fact, there are already several schools, colleges, and universities who have already implemented random drug testing policies. However, there is still much debated on whether or not students should be subjected to drug tests, and there are lots of questions about the objectives of these random drug tests. This is the very reason why school boards, faculty members, and students are all involved in drafting drug and alcohol testing policies that are to be implemented in schools, colleges, and universities.

In many cases, random drug test policies require students who are involved in extra curricular activities to submit themselves to drug tests. The idea of having random drug tests is not to pick on certain students but these policies are enacted and implemented to help students lead cleaner lives. We are all aware of the negative effects of drug use, drug dependence, and drug addiction that we are all given choices to say no to prohibited substances. Drug test policies are anchored should be anchored on these grounds and not to discriminate or give prejudice to certain students.

Helping students to reach their maximum potential is the main goal of drug testing programs in schools, colleges, and universities. However, there are school administrators who are not totally convinced about the objectives and benefits of these drug test policies. There are those who believe that parents should have more responsibility over drug use concerns. They believe that these concerns should be addressed at the parent level and not to be legislated by school and student boards.

Nevertheless, many school administrators and teachers understand the importance of their role as second parents to their students. This has made many school and student boards decide to implement random drug testing programs that typically involve random drug tests on students who participate in all athletic-related extra curricular activities, including cheerleading, band and all associated groups, and show choirs and all associated groups. Independent drug test vendors usually conduct the testing of a certain number of eligible students who have been randomly selected at regular intervals with the help of a computer.

Indeed, drug and alcohol testing programs can be drafted, enacted, and implemented because of the growing concern over alcohol and illicit drug use among students. These programs and policies should also be taken as proactive approaches to maintain the safety of students while in school, to weaken the effects of negative peer pressure, to support students to involve themselves in drug treatment programs, and to keep students from the negative effects of drug and alcohol use to the learning centers of the brain. - 30305

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