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Issues drug policy essay
Drugs reform policies
Drugs reform policies
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“An aggressive drug-testing program would cut down on certain abuses, but it’s never going to catch everyone, or even close to everyone” Malcolm Gladwell. The above quote demonstrates the ongoing debate concerning mandatory drug testing in schools. Issitt and Ballaro, two of the many people engaged in this debate, provide articles on the different sides of the argument. On one hand, Issitt strongly believes that drug tests are effective and that schools should enforce drug testing on all students. On the other hand, Ballaro agrees with the above quote that drug testing “is never going to catch everyone”. She strongly disagrees with mandatory drug testing as a measure to reduce drug abuse. Both Issit and Ballaro provide an abundance of reasons …show more content…
He provides a considerable amount of evidence to corroborate his stance. First of all, he states that drug abuse has become a critical problem among adolescents. He imparts the results of previous drug tests conducted on high school students and the measures taken to reduce the amount of drug abuse. In addition, Issitt mentions a few school districts that have utilized these drug tests to their benefit. Furthermore, he includes a supreme court case that ruled in favor of drug tests on students with extracurricular activities. Issitt provides a considerable amount of reasons that support his stance to allow mandatory drug tests. In contrast, Ballaro strongly disapproves of mandatory drug testing. She provides a substantial amount of research to prove that drug tests don’t show a positive effect on drug use. Moreover, she includes a few examples demonstrating the privacy violation drug tests cause. In addition, she asserts that it’s “a waste of valuable resources” to drug test every single student. Ballaro also provides examples of the mistakes that drug tests can make and the stage people go through because of those mistakes. Overall, both Issitt and Ballaro provide crucial evidence-based reasons supporting their
In Vernonia v. Acton, the issue in question is the school’s ability to drug test student-athletes. In the mid 80’s, the Vernonia School District noticed an uptick in drug use, and more so from athletes. Furthermore, the football and wrestling coach cited several situations that he felt drug-use was causing the athletes to be unsafe. Thus, the school instituted a mandatory drug test for all student athletes prior to the season, and then weekly random drug testing. If a student-athlete failed a test, they would have the choice of joining a rehab program, or serving a suspension. Suspension from school was never an option, nor were the results reported to authorities. Results were reported to the superintendent, athletic director, and other personnel on a need to know basis only (Vernonia v. Acton, 1995).
Adolescent drug use in America is a cause for concern. Drug use among adolescents contributes to deaths, traffic accidents, poor judgment, unsafe sexual behavior and other risky behaviors. According to the authors (2003), “drug prevention programs in schools are a critical element of the antidrug effort, yet only 9% of school districts are using programs whose effectiveness has been demonstrated through rigorous research (p.1830).”
In many high schools around the country, student athletes are using drugs. “The percent of students that have drunk alcohol is 72.5% while the number of students who have used marijuana is 36.8%” (Report: Nearly Half of High School Students Using Drugs, Alcohol). The students believe that since they are athletes that they do not need to abide by the rules because they feel more superior and that the narcotic will not hurt or affect them. Implementing random drug tests for athletes will create a positive image and not hurt others or themselves. Schools need to have drug tests for student athletes because drugs effect relationships, using drugs have consequences, and lastly they have a major effect on the body.
Some may say that drug testing students is unconstitutional because it is an “invasion of privacy”. This, however, is not true. . . “In 1995, the United States Supreme Court ruled that drug testing for high school athletes was constitutional, and some districts expanded their policies to include middle schools.” I believe allowing schools to drug test athletes was a very positive thing. For many reason, but mainly because athletes who are on drugs have a higher risk of being injured. For example a kid who is on drugs and plays a sporting event has a greater risk of their heart stopping on the field or court. “Drug tests analyze bodily samples such as urine, blood, or hair to detect the presence of legal and illegal drugs.” The most common one is urine testing. I believe urine testing is the best way for high school students, because it does not take as long as some other tests and it is not as costly as other tests. This is especially important because obviously a school does not want to spend money on anything they do not have to. Our school does randomly drug test students every once in a while but only a few of the athletes are chosen to take the test so that really is not helping ...
“A medical dictionary defines a drug as ‘any substance that when taken into the living organism may modify one or more of its functions’” (Newton 12). However, when speaking of drug testing for abuse a person is usually thinking about illegal drugs or drugs that can alter athletic performance in sporting events. Mandatory drug testing was not allowed in public schools until June 2002 when the Supreme Court allowed for public schools to do random drug testing (Carroll 23). This decision allowed for drug testing in all schools throughout the United States not just for athletes but also students who are in any activities within the school, for example clubs and competitive events (Carroll 23). Even though drug testing is now allowed by the Supreme Court many schools do not yet have mandatory drug test policies. Mandatory drug testing for high school athletes should be required because it decreases drug use in schools, is relatively inexpensive, and can prevent drug use and or abuse that can lead to a lifelong addiction.
Even though it violates some of the students’ rights to privacy, it ensures all school students and teachers safety. School searches were implemented to prevent school violence and prevent altercations at school. Searches also can validate or disprove accusations or suspicion against groups or individuals. Many who have experienced these types of searches noticed a decline in drug use ion campus and violence on campus. “We had used the traditional methods of drug education. We had brought in speakers to talk to the parents and the kids but that did not seem to be enough. The message just wasn’t getting through.” (Robinson) This passage suggests the traditional methods were ineffective, so non-conventional methods need to be implicated in order to prevent drug use and violence on campus. Resource officers, teachers, and administrators with experience in this practice of drug searches often discover the positive impact of drug searches, as Colorado principle Mary White said“Those who see dogs conduct these searches- they don’t know when the searches are coming, and they have an investment to protect. They just don’t think it’s worth it [bringing drugs alcohol, or firearms into a school]” (Robinson). Which shows the use of drug dogs and student searches HAS shown a positive improvement in
For instance, “Drug testing still is found not to be associated with students' reported illicit drug use—even random testing that potentially subjects the entire student body.” (Nelson). Students that are being drug tested will stay addicted to the drugs they are taking. If a teenager gets into bad enough drugs they will have zero desire to stop doing the drug(s). If someone does not have the passion or does not want to stop doing the drug then they will not, they will continue to do it til it doesn’t feel the same anymore.
Drug tests should be mandatory for each and every highschool student and not just the ones participating in athletic extracurricular activities. Most of the student body doesn’t consist of athletes. Therefore if drug use is concerning, why single out athletes? If some of the atletes test positive, chances are other students will also test positive. All students are under constant stress and distractions
The ethics of drug testing has become an increased concern for many companies in the recent years. More companies are beginning to use it and more people are starting more to have problems with it. The tests are now more than ever seen as a way to stop the problems of drug abuse in the workplace. This brings up a very large question. Is drug testing an ethical way to decide employee drug use? It is also very hard to decide if the test is an invasion of employee privacy. “The ethical status of workplace drug testing can be expressed as a question of competing interests, between the employer’s right to use testing to reduce drug related harms and maximize profits, over against the employee’s right to privacy, particularly with regard to drug use which occurs outside the workplace.” (Cranford 2) The rights of the employee have to be considered. The Supreme Court case, Griswold vs. Connecticut outlines the idea that every person is entitled to a privacy zone. However this definition covers privacy and protection from government. To work productively especially when the work may be physical it is nearly impossible to keep one’s privacy. The relationship between employer and employee is based on a contract. The employee provides work for the employer and in return he is paid. If the employee cannot provide services because of problems such as drug abuse, then he is violating the contract. Employers have the right to know many things about their employees.
Our personal health is very important. If we ignore the fact that constantly going to drug trials just to earn that extra amount of money will harm our health, we will eventually die. This is a problem. Not just for you, but for those around you as well. Who will earn the income? Another point is that if you’re an underrepresented woman, and they offer to pay you more, you should not take the deal. According to the www.drugs.com, the negative side effects of drug testing include chest pain, numbness, inflammation etc. Although this is rare, if you constantly be the underrepresented participant and earn more money, you could end up having all these symptoms. Since you have all these symptoms, you will start to feel sick, and you’ll need to see a doctor.
Until this issue is controlled and the laws are clear to understand, there will continue to be debates on the use of drug screening and the reasoning behind such method. The history of flaws and unreliable testing has turned the American people against such testing. In order to gain control, the federal government should look into these laws and make a determination has to how these policies should be implemented and to whom it should apply.
Drug testing is essential to the public to prevent substance abuse. Since drug users tend to abuse drugs in any way they can get out of. The benefits of drug testing help society to be safe. Also drug testing can change the community to become more successful. Safety of workplaces often gives drug testing due to preventing violence and safety at workplaces for employees. Drug testing can be a hardship for drug users due to they sometimes need it for medicine, but some other people take advantage of drug usage that makes society unsafe. That’s why drug testing helps eliminate unacceptable substance that happens in the society.
Drugs are very bad for your especially at a young age but people say we shouldn't have random drug testing in this article your can see why or why not do random drug testing. Drug testing should still go on because it gives a reason to say no and the purpose is to help not punish but although athletes take a drug to help them play. Drug testing gives students a reason to say “no” when approached to use drugs Random drug testing applies only to students who volunteer to participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics or, in some schools, to student drivers and Students who take leadership roles in the school community are role models and should be drug free. Random student drug testing occurs during a medically valid time to intervene because youth become addicted more easily than adults, and their recovery is more difficult and Most students don’t use drugs and have a right to safe and drug-free learning environments. School administrators need reasonable tools to stop drug users and drug dealers from ruining school for everyone, Testing gives
...ey to getting a good job, but high school students can’t get their education if they are caught up in doing drugs. Over thirty percent of dropouts in the United States are because of drugs. The thirty percent of drug addict dropouts may never find a job. Thats why it is important for high school drug testing to be enforced among all students. High school drug testing would allow early notice of drug use and allow the school to steer the student into the right path towards success. The drug tests will give students confidence and another reason to say “No” when being peer pressured into trying drugs. Many would argue that drug testings invade their privacy, but with drug usage being at an all time high who can we count on? High schools are made to prepare students for their future, and in order to make the students successful we must allow high school drug testings.
Mandatory drug testing is proven to help reduce the number of kids who do drugs (Journal of General