Random Drug Testing in Schools

595 Words2 Pages

A study was taken at the University of Michigan, and of all their 12th graders, 12% tried narcotics and 1% tried heroin. This data represents a need for random drug testing in schools. It can identify students that need help and keep others from falling into bad crowds. To keep our students and schools safe ,and effectively cut down on teen drug use, random drug testing should be allowed in schools.
First, random drug testing schools should be implemented for the safety of the students. According to NYT, “90% of all NOVT students tried marijuana and 60% tried opiates and other pharmaceuticals” (Slotnik para. 7). If NOVT had random drug testing, they could’ve detected that sooner and helped the students in earlier from harmful exposure to drugs. This could’ve also improved the safety of the students due to the fact that they wouldn’t have to go to dangerous people in order to obtain the substances. They could’ve been hurt in the receival of these items. Also, of all the 12th graders at U of M, “...12% tried narcotics and 1% tried heroin.” states NYT (Slotnik para. 11)How are we supposed to maked the world of our students and children a safer place, if our students and children are meeting with drug dealers? Evidently, if our students WERE safe, they wouldn’t be doing drugs in the first place. As you can see, if we were to drug test students, we could stop them from using drugs and have a deterrent from using them. Then they’d be safer because they wouldn’t be around the wrong people.
The implementation of random drug testing in schools could be very effective in deterring students from using drugs. “Schools wish to conduct random drug tests as a deterrent from using drugs.” claims www.drugabuse.gov .
This can be effective because students will have a great, solid excuse to say no to drugs. Without t5his excuse, what reason will students have to say no? Nothing. That’s why this effective and needed. www.drugabuse.gov also reports “The purpose of drug testing is not to punish students, but to help the ones in need.”(Frequently Asked… para. 5) This can also be effective because it can cut down the teen drug abuse in America. This can also help areas lower crime rates due to stopping future drug addicts. Thus, proving that this course of action is potentially effective.

Open Document