Jael Quijada

Period 1, Mohr

English10B

24 May 2013

Should schools do random drug testing?

Heroin, Cocaine, Marijuana, Crack, Meth, Molly, etc. Now a days, many teenagers are

able to get their hands on these evil things. Drug trafficking is one of the greatest crimes all over

the United States. From around the age of 11 and up, if they want it they will find it. Written in

Go Ask Alice by anonymous: she clearly states how even she sold drugs to elementary kids.

Assuming that they start using at around the age of ten, throughout the years, the body will get

used to that specific drug and will want to get on something stronger, by this happening the

abuse of substances will increase higher and higher and unfortunaly most likely make it

impossible to want to stop. After reading the article, Parents, experts divided on school drug

testing written by Victoria Clayton, I agree with V. Clayton that High Schools should adopt the

method of random drug testing.

V. Clayton uses Maryellen Stratmann as her example, a relieved mother to hear her sons

school would be having random drug testing. She and her husband are both physicians who have

worked in ERs and witnessed firsthand the effects of drug overdoses and other drug-related

problems. If schools start randomly drug testing, it may help identify a teen that needs help.

Substance Abuse is a very critical issue in teens now because it is supposably seen as something

that is cool. Im not sure who declared organ failure cool. Or who said being left paralyzed

was cool. Or who even said being sexual abused because while under the influence its very

difficult to make reasonable choices was cool. As a teenager, I can personally say I am well

aware of the effects drug can have on my body and on my future. I can also say this for my

fellow classmates; because we all have taken physical education, health, and have parents,

friends, and teachers who have talked to us about these effects.

According a survey conducted on superintendents by University of New Hampshire

researchers published in the journal Education Law Reporter found that about 12% of school

districts nationwide now drug test students. One may argue that it takes too much time or is a

waste of money, but there are children and young adults, who should be playing outside; smiling

with their loved ones, feeling cared about. Not turning to anther refuge because they feel like no

one cares and wants to forget about the pain. In the survey, they also found that an additional

10% were considering adopting such policies. Though 10% isnt that high of a number, that 10%

can encourage another 10%, that can encourage another 10%, where one day we will be able to

say all of United States has all of the Public, Private and Home-schooled students being drug

tested.

I also agree that there can be a false sense of security in which students may find ways of

lying to a screen test: such as drinking plenty of fluids or hoping for 48-72 hours pass before

their next drug test. In order for this to not happen I believe that a High School Administrator

cannot say that a specific day of each week will be the day of exams because then student will

start to notice a pattern; especially those who want to avoid getting in trouble.

In conclusion, I would like to state that V. Clayton says that the youngest Stratmann boy

agrees. As long as the testing is done with an emphasis on helping kids and their families, says

the 14- year-old Joe, why not? I believe that the fact that a 14 year old says that that not only is

there hope for the abuse of drugs to decrease but that maybe even administrating random drug

test will help teens get back on track in doing what will help them in the future not doing things

that will make their future bad.