Speak Out!
Student Drug Testing?
Sun, 07/01/2007 - 07:44 | Youth
The debate continues over whether school-based drug testing is necessary. Critics say it’s expensive, unfair and counterproductive. Supporters suggest it may be the single most important step to reducing drug dependency among teens.
Should random drug testing be done in schools? If so, at what level should it begin?
Never Mind Success...Go For Greatness
Comments
Random drug testing can help
Random drug testing can help but I don't think we should focus on this aspect only. If I had to choose I would probably go for investing money in an awareness drug program rather than drug testing. A counselor from a California drug rehab center once told me that the best way to fight drugs is to keep friends with those who do drugs and persuade them to quit and get back their normal lives. I am afraid that random drug testing doesn't go with this principle and that makes me skeptical about any form of success.
STUDENT DRUG TESTING CAN SAVE
STUDENT DRUG TESTING CAN SAVE LIFES! SO IT SHOULD BE DONE AT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
We seem to be far more
We seem to be far more concerned with punishment than with learning how to understand and ultimately resolve our problems. I have a teenager and I will say emphatically, our young kids are in serious trouble. Drugs are rampant and readily available in schools. Arresting kids, kicking them out of school will not solve the problem. Our children more and more are turning to drugs and other self-destructive behavior because of their intense internal turmoil. Our family structure is eroding and children are unable to confide in their parents. They feel alone and overwhelmed, they are plagued with feelings of hopelessness and despair. There is increasing peer pressure and many "hook-up" with others who are also suffering, to feel like they belong.
It is not about the drugs, it is about the child's sense of self and if a child perceives himself in a negative, unloved place, he is more likely to turn to drugs. The children who have a strong sense of who they are and what they are about are far less likely to want to engage in self-destructive behavior. It is my opinion that instead of drug tests they should implement yoga as a required class in every school in this country as it’s most important benefit is physical and mental therapy. “According to medical scientists, yoga therapy is successful because of the balance created in the nervous and endocrine systems which directly influences all the other systems and organs of the body. Yoga acts both as a curative and preventive therapy. The very essence of yoga lies in attaining mental peace, improved concentration powers, a relaxed state of living and harmony in relationships.“
In addition, every grade should have professional mental health therapists engage the students in sincere discussions about their state of being, encourage honesty while teaching them coping skills for the times they feel overwhelmed, stressed out and emotionally overwrought. We turn to destructive behavior when there is something amiss within us. This can never be resolved by external things but by the understanding and development of our internal processes. My heart aches for the sadness that permeates the mental and emotional states of our young children today.
August 3, 2007 Dear Yodit,
August 3, 2007
Dear Yodit, immorality is everywhere. There are wonderful young people in this world that are making positive decisions in everyday life. When was the last time,
you offered to mentor to a young person? For the past 4 years, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a school. Often times it was rough, but the joy that I experienced mentoring with these children, will be with me for a life time. My advice to you would be, before you make such harsh comments about our youth of today, remember this, they are our now, our future, and our hope for a better tomorrow.
Love, Joy, Peace & Kindness
Keep Hope Alive
Our society is changing more
Our society is changing more and more. Honestly..kids aren't kids anymore. The exposure of immorality is bombarded in their faces daily. Drugs, sex, cheating..these things are pressure to them everyday. And with drugs being such a problem..why can't we protect them?? Why would it be wrong to give them drug tests in school?? Sometimes these kids are being faced with these problems in their HOME...so why can't the school..which is sometimes a safe haven for these troubled kids be a place where they get tested? It doesn't matter how uppity the school is..what sickens me is that there are schools who are more willing to protect the name of their school rather than dealing with actual problems that occur in them. That's what I call SHALLOW!! Yes..these students need drug tests! Random tests or not..it should be done!!! And although at what level can be a touchy subject..let's be realistic..kids as young as 10 are doing drugs. So if we're going to be realistic..drug testing should be allowed in even elementary schools. If we are about helping our children and saving them from making the wrong decisions..believe me..its never to EARLY to start!
No, students should not be
No, students should not be tested for drugs unless they participate in a sport, and then only if steriods are involved.
As an educator, I don't see a
As an educator, I don't see a problem with the outline given by #2 above. Too many times we have seen student and say to each other "He/She is high", but could do nothing more than send them to a counselor or call the drug hotline. At which point the student just denies the drug use and moves on. If they were drug testing, there should be mandatory programs in place, which would give educators a resource to help these students. Leaving students to choose their fork in the road is not acceptable, that's why we are parents, to guide them in the right way. At least until they finish school and have the minimum credentials for making a living, which is a high school diploma. After high school, they are free to choose their own way. But America needs to focus more on curbing the dropout rate, some due to drugs or drug dealing, and put less focus on children's right to grow up as they please. That is not their right, when we have children we should be responsible for them. If the school has to help by doing random drug testing, then so be it.
Dear Tavis, I am concerned
Dear Tavis, I am concerned with the issue of mandatory drug testing of school-aged children. We live in a time that dishonesty is running rampant in the United States public school system. We have children as young as 2 years of age that are being subscribed psychotropic drugs by medical doctors. The number of school-aged children being referred for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by teachers should be the moral focus. The drugs of choice that are prescribed to these children are, Ritalin, Adderall, and other psychotropic drugs. The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration has classified these drugs as methylphenidate. These drugs are compared to opium and cocaine, which are both narcotics. These drugs are addictive and dangerous to children and our youth. The drug companies and our educational systems have made millions off the backs of our children. Tavis, let's narrow this issue down to find out the number of school-aged children that have been given these drugs that are now using drugs such as marijuana and other harsh drugs. While we are at it, let's do drug testing on educators, doctors, and politicians that say they care about our children and youth.
FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO
FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO WITH OUR MONEY
drug testing
i personally think we should be spending our money on other things but if the pot head wants to waste there money that's fine by me.
NO, STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE
NO, STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE DRUG TESTED. ONE OF THE MAJOR DECISIONS IN THEIR LIFE WILL BE IF THEY CHOOSE TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD OR NOT. BUT IT IS THEIR DECISION. WE MUST LET THEM GROW UP ALL WE CAN AND MUST DO IS EDUCATE AND PRAY-P-S-IF THEY WANT TO, THERE WILL BE NO TEST OR NOBODY FOR THAT MATTER THAT WILL STOP THEM. THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT.
STUDENTS BE DRUG TESTED I
STUDENTS BE DRUG TESTED I SAID YES AND EVERYONE IN THIS UNITED STATES CONGRESS NEEDS TO BE DRUG TESTED BECAUSE THE WAY THEY CARRY IN IS JUST LIKE STUDENTS- PS- WE START WITH BUSH AND CHENEY
Random drug testing should be
Random drug testing should be done, but at a certain level. If a student is representing the school in an event such as sporting or other school sponsored event, then they should be put on notice that they may be tested. All levels, from 9th grade - 12th grade, should be subject to the testing. If a student does test positive for any illegal substance, then they should be put into a program that is designed to assist the student. A 2nd positive result should result in some type of consequence, and a third should be some type of final solution such as removal from that event.
Students who are not involved in any type of school sport or other function could be tested, but they may be tested more often with less stringency. For example, they may be given 5 chances to pass the test, and afterwards be subject to mandatory counseling.
All depends on the punishment
All depends on the punishment a student receives if pos!!! Black folks have seen their children under attack in the white criminal justice system around America. For working parent it might be a go thing to know what your child is up to. Punishment is the part the scares me. Can we as Black Folk trust the justice system in America?