Recently, there has been a significant rise in substance use among teenagers. Research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that more than 20% of 8th graders have consumed an illegal substance at least once, and 11% of 12th graders are addicted to any one of the illegal substances.
It is one of the biggest problems we face as a society since these drugs are wreaking havoc on our younger generation. Many public schools have begun implementing mandatory drug testing policies for their student body to combat this issue.
The 5-panel drug test is often used to detect substance use within schools. Yet, the effectiveness of these programs is still not apparent. In this article, we will analyze the boon and bane of mandatory drug testing to determine whether it should be compulsory for every school to install these programs.
Table of Contents:
- The Effectiveness Of Mandatory Drug Tests
- Pros And Cons Of Mandatory Drug Screening In Schools
The Effectiveness of Mandatory Drug Tests
A report based on the Psychological Corporation’s Drug Testing and Workplace Screening Study found that mandatory student drug testing programs are ineffective at catching drug use.
The report used a drug test called the 5-panel metabolite urinalysis to test how effective these programs detected students who used drugs. But, the test results show that very few students were using drugs at school.
The study found that less than 2% of students tested positive for drug use, and even if all students are subject to testing, it would only detect about 25% of those using drugs. The results are consistent with other research conducted on drug use in schools.
A study by the University of Michigan found that mandatory random drug tests did not decrease substance abuse problems in high school students. Yet, it did reduce the amount of drinking and marijuana use among those who identified themselves as substance abusers.
Moreover, certain negatives and positives come with these programs. For example, one study found that mandatory drug testing at school increased the dropout rate by 0.8% among seniors who participated in the program. Yet, another study showed no significant differences between schools with and without student drug testing.
Pros and Cons of Mandatory Drug Screening In Schools
Despite these conflicting results, most public schools still use mandatory drug testing programs. But, we need to be careful before we put in place these programs to see if they are effective or not. If we decide that they are ineffective and should not be mandatory in our schools, students who currently use drugs will be exposed due to the drug test.
It could lead to an increase in substance abuse problems in our schools and community. But, if the tests are effective and mandatory drug testing should be implemented in our schools, we must consider the positives and negatives.
Pros of Drug Testing:
- It promotes a feeling of safety:
If mandatory drug testing effectively deters drug use, it could give parents and students a feeling of safety if they know there are random drug tests. They can stop worrying about their children or loved ones being exposed to drugs at school.
Moreover, by implementing the drug testing policy, teachers and administrators will be better able to detect students who are using drugs. It could help the school deter student drug use and substance abuse problems.
- It can aid in proper counseling:
One of the positives of mandatory drug testing is that it can help promote counselling and rehabilitation programs at the schools. Students who test positive must go through a proper rehabilitation program to graduate.
For example, if students test positive for marijuana, they could be required to attend counselling sessions. During these sessions, teachers and administrators could promote group discussions on the dangers of drugs in our society.
It is an effective way to promote substance abuse awareness within our school community and help prevent addiction problems in the future.
- It will be able to identify and deal with problem students:
One of the biggest concerns facing schools is their ability to deal with high-risk students. Many are exposed to drugs and alcohol but are ignored or accepted by the school administrators.
Yet, mandatory drug testing can help prevent this scenario from happening in schools. When students test positive for drug use, the teachers and administrators will understand their situation.
They will be able to determine if the student is a problem and needs help to avoid substance abuse problems in the future.
Cons of Drug Testing:
- It is invasive and violates students’ right to privacy:
One of the biggest problems surrounding mandatory drug testing is violating students’ right to privacy. School officials should not force students to give up their private information for the tests. While the tests are not invasive, they can cause harm to students with prescription drugs having a medical problems.
Moreover, since school officials might share students’ test results with all the teachers and administrators; this could lead to unnecessary embarrassment for students and their families.
- It might serve as punishment for an activity outside the campus:
One of the cons of mandatory drug testing is that it can act as a form of punishment for an action outside the school campus. In some cases, students choose to take part in drug use outside school.
Yet, this is not their fault, and if the drug test catches them, the school might punish the student by suspending or expelling them. While this may be effective in preventing drug use among students, it might not be a fair decision.
- It would need much funding:
Mandatory drug testing programs can be expensive. If every student needs a mandatory drug test every year, it would require a lot of funding. Schools may need to cover the cost of hiring more staff responsible for administering these tests and supervising students who test positive. The extra spending is not worth the benefits that it can bring.
Conclusion
Mandatory drug testing can help schools reduce student drug problems like smoking on one hand, but it could also lead to potential substance abuse problems in the future on the other.
Thus, schools should not implement mandatory random drug testing without careful consideration. If you decide to install a mandatory testing program, you must have a clear reason for doing so. Moreover, you must be cautious not to violate the student’s right to privacy, as this policy is only a punitive measure.
Yet, in some cases, schools will need a program like this because it may deter substance abuse problems and give students a feeling of safety if they know that all their classmates are subject to drug tests. This policy can help prevent future substance abuse problems among our youth and communities.
FAQ
Do All Schools Have The Same Policies?
No, many schools use different policies for mandatory drug testing. Some schools conduct it on reasonable suspicion, and others do not test students. A few public schools have passed laws that need this policy in their states.
For example, mandated random drug tests are necessary for some states like Alabama and Texas. Many other states will allow the discretion of school administrators in implementing this policy if they believe it is an effective measure to deter student drug use at their school campuses.
Are there legal consequences for failing a mandatory drug test?
In some states, students who test positive will be suspended or expelled. But, in most cases, the school’s choice of discipline will be based on the student’s situation.
