Drug Testing Student Athletes

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Drug Testing Student Athletes
Every athlete has probably at some point has been told to represent their school with class. Athletes are held to high standards, they are expected do the right thing on and off the field, and to lead others by setting a good example. As a role model for younger athletes and other students, should our athletes be required to prove they are being responsible even when no one is watching? Should we drug test all of our athletes to ensure they are making the right choices and setting a good example for younger athletes?
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 ...

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Fay, Calvina L. "Student Drug Testing Is Part of the Solution." Behavioral Health Management 24 (2004): 13. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.

House Office of National Drug Control Policy, The White. "Student Drug Testing Helps Prevent Drug Abuse." Drug Testing. Ed. Cindy Mur. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.

Mckinney, Joseph R. "The Effectiveness and Legality of Random Student Drug Testing Programs Revisited." RandomStudentDrugTesting.org. 2005. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.

Mitten, Matthew J. "Is Drug Testing of Athletes Necessary?" USA Today. Vol. 134. 2005. 60-62. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.

Pilon, Mary. "Differing Views on Value of High School Tests." The New York Times 06 Jan. 2013: 6(L). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.

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