Pubdate: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 Source: Daily Mississippian (U of MS Edu) Copyright: 2005 The Daily Mississippian Contact: http://www.thedmonline.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1345 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) DEBATING DRUG TESTING Drug tests in schools could prove to be a worthy endeavor in teen's lives. Nobody wants to be a junkie when they grow up. New measures being placed in schools across the state and country may assure that, for some students, that never happens. Two more Mississippi schools this month alone implemented random drug screenings for students involved in extracurricular activities. Rankin County's school board voted and approved the measure April 14. While some may bawlk at potential invasions of privacy on the children, the measures are meant for good and should not be construed any other way. Once teenagers make it to their early twenties, or even to the age of 18, they will likely face drug screenings at potential jobs. Not only do kids not want to grow up to be junkies, businesses don't want to hire them, either. More and more job applications are beginning require drug tests. So, if students will face these tests in the future, why not face them now? However, the implementation of the plans contain some worrysome facets. In many schools, only students in extracurricular activities are tested (i.e. athletics). If any groups should be targeted, it should hardly be those who willingly spend more time at school than they are required. Likely, a child involved in football, basketball, band, newspaper or whatever activity, join the group because they are passionate about whatever activity they are being offered. It is that passion that, many times, keeps young people away from drugs. Random drug screenings of the entire school population is the way to go. Failing a drug test in high school will make much more of an impact on a teen's life than it would if their first failing score from a drug test came from a job application. They can still be molded in junior high and high schools. However, at the heart of the matter remains the terrible truth that drug screens are even necessary at such young ages. Parents who are involved, interested and unwavering in their child's lives can do much more than the threat of a drug test ever could. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin