We Need Mandatory Random Drug Testing in Public Schools Essay

Is public school drug testing really appropriate? Mandatory-Random Student Drug Testing (MRSDT) and school-based Suspicionless Random Drug Testing (SRDT) are two of many approaches that school districts could use to help prevent and lower the rates of drug and substance use (James-Burdumy 1). MRSDT was introduced in the late 1980’s when the United States Military created other programs to control substance use (James-Burdumy 1; Russell 169). The United States Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) program sponsors and supports random drug testing in public schools as a way to fight the high rates of substance use of adolescents (James-Burdumy 2). For instance, in a recent study report it was stated that 27%†¦show more content†¦There are many concerns that could keep public schools from not using drug testing (Russell 168). Drug testing can become inefficient and extremely costly; consequently, some schools who have had drug test ing had to drop the program (Russell 168). For example, a Ohio public school came to the conclusion that their $35,000 per year drug testing program was no longer needed since they could not keep funding them (Russell 168). One would understand why such events could become very frustrating for school districts (Evans 450). Some students believe that random drug testing is against their right to privacy; thus leading students to feel violated when they are asked to urinate on command in the presence of another person (Evans 452; Russell 168). Even more concerns are evident with student’s relationships with their teachers and school officials when they feel like they have to be drug tested (Russell 169). Most students could be embarrassed to give a drug test at school if a school faculty member administers the test. Parents and teachers should be able to trust their students (Barrington 51). The students in public high schools should feel like they can talk to their teachers about their issues at home, in relationships, and in friendships. In the modern world not all students can trust their elders; students have lost respect for their elders and teachers. Today’s society compared to 100 years ago is like night and day (Barrington 50). Drug testing the studentsShow MoreRelatedIs Drug Testin g Amongst High School Youths Beneficial?1334 Words   |  5 PagesDrug Testing Amongst High School Youths Drug testing, or DT, is considered to be any test administered to detect the presence of drugs, usually illegal substances, from a blood or urine sample. Major applications include the use to detect performance enhancing drugs in competitive athletes, employment screening used to filter candidates for hiring, and is often used by police to detect alcohol levels in drivers suspected of drunk driving. 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