Mandatory Drug Tests In School

[Lone Gunman]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/02....ap/index.html

[TexKan]

I gotta say I don't really see the problem with this. It's a private school. I also don't see the problem in public school sports and such. The only problem I see is most drug dealin kids don't participate in sports sometimes drug usin kids do.

This goes on in most work places and is just a fact of life. Since it isn't punitive and treatment is the ultimate goal then where is the problem. Violation of rights???.......... pooo shawwww........ my kids didn't have any rights but those I gave them. It was like that untill they supported themselves. My youngest at 24 knows if I help him with college $$ he better bring home the grade - even if he doesn't live in my home. It's an investment at this point - if he renigs on my investment he's gonna have to answer to mom.............. hell would be a better place to hide in that instance.

[Lone Gunman]

I agree Texie. Where I work we have random testing and the only ones who don't like it are the ones we susupect of using. I go along with ya on the education they're there to learn not do drugs and party.

[K C Muffin]

I see it like this: it's a private school. If I, as a parent, want to pay the tuition to send my kid to that school, then I have a voice in the way it's run. If the majority of the parents want or don't fight mandatory drug tests, then that's the way it is. If I really don't want my kid tested, I pull him - but at the risk of his education (cuz why else would I spend the money to send him there?).

What parent in his right mind has not asked him/herself whether his/her kids have done drugs. I know I've been worried a time or two. Kids' bodies are changing so quickly that their own chemistry can make them exhibit some of the same signs as drug use sometimes.

If the school was going to do my dirty work for me, I don't think I'd mind. But I realize other parents do. It's a private school, so the parents have a say in it. Either yank your kid out or let him/her be tested.

[TexKan]

I'm with ya KC!!

Ya know i never really wondered if my kids did drugs. I know my kids experiemented at some point and time. Why would they be any different than me? I also know they were takin a risk - just like me as a kid - so I can only conclude that they knew it was unacceptable to get caught, get caught up in the life style, and choose the drugs over lifes responsiblity. Seems to have worked out ok all the way around. That was my family code from my mom and that's what I went by as a mom.

I think be honest with your kids, tell them what they want to know when they are old enough to understand and they will rarely dissappoint ya with thier choices. I never informed my children of anything they didn't ask about but I also think it's important to make sure your kids know it's ok to take those chances (as we all did and sometimes still do) It's important to calculate the risks and have a plan to meet the risks head on with any decision be it drugs or relationships. Might I add some relationships are drugs!!.......... but I think ya get my meaning.

I think the lesson I learned was - boy I'm lucky I didn't get caught. Better leave that life alone cause luck only lasts so long. Probably what saved me!! The drug life is a looser life - I never doubted that as a kid or as an adult.

[The Drifter]

I dunno if i support mandatory drug tests...I will admit my ignorance i did not read the article that LG had posted. Perhaps i'll read it tommorrow... anywho, i see mandatory drug tests as unreasonable search. To the best of their (who ever conducting the test) knowledge you haven't committed a crime. So for them to search your body is unjust. This could be likened to them searching your home for anything illegal whenever they want. It's not right. Now if you have done something wrong, then i can see the logic in asking for a drug test. i.e. on the job you wreck some equipment and then you have to take a test to see if you were under the influence. That's my take on it as of right now...again with out reading the article...
Someone convince me to agree with yall

[K C Muffin]

My thought is that they've essentially agreed to the search when they enrolled their kids knowing about the mandatory drug tests. Sounds like the tests will be administered on a lottery-type basis. When your number is called, you go let them cut a hair or two. That simple. If you have been partaking, then you'll get caught. If, however, you're following the rules, everything's OK. Teens are so susceptible to peer pressure - it's so easy for them to fall into it and unable to find their way out. If I had the money to send my kids to private school, I wouldn't want any of their precious class time wasted by somebody who'd rather do drugs and take up the teacher's time. I'd hope they'd test not only for recreational drugs, but for 'roids as well. They can be dangerous to not only those taking them, but for those around them.

[TexKan]

We'll let ya read the article first - then we'll try to convince ya. Actually I think you will convince yourself. Unless of course you just fundamentally feel it's an invasion - no matter what. In that case why would anyone want to convince ya otherwise?? Differences - it's what makes the world go round!!

[Highwayman]

More employers are requiring drug test for hiring and some on a regular basis after that. Of course you ain’t forced to work there. Think of it as preparation for what life will throw at you when you get out of school. FWIW, I don’t like it either. Adult working life ain’t no bed of roses if you work for “the man”.

[Lone Gunman]

When they told us we would be subject to random testing at first I was against it, but after further thought I don't want to work with someone who is on drugs or comes to work under the influence of drugs. I have no problem with it now but I have never been afraid of getting a dirty UA so I suppose that makes my opinion a bit different then someone who does use drugs.