Drug testing - here it comes again

I think athletes are being unfairly singled out. If they are going to drug test them, they need to test anyone participating in extracurricular activities. That includes the drama club, chess team, math club, band, orchestra, etc. I see this getting shot down with some pretty high profile lawsuits.

Exactly, fpbear13.

In fact...
...there was this one time, at band camp...

If drug tests are going to be done,..then why only single out athletes,..and/or only kids involved in extra curicular activities?

Why isnt the entire studentbody to be held accountable?

Is drug use only limited to extra curricular students and athletes? I think we all know the answer to that.

Drugs represent a danger. A danger that can happen anywhere,..even while sitting at a desk in the classroom.

Not sure legally how this will be accomplished.
I'd like to learn more.

And what drugs are testing for????


The general student body is probably taking different drugs than the athletes

The article is about random drug testing of the entire student body.

It's not just athletes; any student in an extracurricular activity is subject to testing.

The legalese: going to public school is a right, and a test without probable cause can't be tied to that right, so you can't just test them all; there is however no guarantee/right to engage in extracurricular activities, which are considered a "privilege", so agreeing to the test can be a condition of exercising the privilege of participation in extracurricular activities. Sports are just one such activity-band, drama, clubs, etc are all included.

quote:

I think athletes are being unfairly singled out

I think the "civil liberty" groups would have some history to stand behind if the schools in general were set up for "random selection". When you use an extra ciricular activity as a benchmark you can use a parent signature for participation as a "sign-off" to allow random drug testing.

If you can't have complete testing what's wrong with a partial group unless there is something to hide. We stress to do the right thing. Well, prove you are, as those results will only confirm your committment to be drug free. Use societies negative use of civil liberties to your advantage and go where others are scared to.

That is my take. Maybe Deldad or some other with a "law mind" can shine a different angle on why there is not across the board testing in schools.

It looks like Hokieone did so in a simultaneous-post

The high shool that my son's go to require that they take a drug test(for athletes), at the beginning of each semester. And, at times, they'll do a random test. As for the rest of the student body, I wouldn't have a problem with it. It would make the school safer, in the long run. Let's face it, almost every school has some sort of drug problem. And if they can find the kids doing drugs, it'll get them to help that much faster.

I'm going to come at this from a differant angle.

What happen's when somebody slip's a drug are substance into somebody's water bottle are food.
And don't think it won't happen.

You've heard the story's of over zealous parent's.
Wanting there kid to be the star QB, are head Cheerleader.

It's a good idea that all athlete's keep track of everything they take into there body. Just a thought.
EH

My son is to busy eating to keep track of everything.

EH, you are correct with this and it is a sad statement on the mentality of todays society. However, how do you know that someone has not tampered with your english muffin, or cup of coffee this morning? Do you think that through with everything you put in your mouth?

The last thing I would want to do is stress the kid out with a "no-mind" event like eating. He was brought up to use common sense before putting things in his mouth, that common sense includes not eating others food, taking food from strangers, ect..., why complicate it now

I know it's not something we want to think could happen.
Just be careful.

JMO, but I would not have any problem with my kids being tested for street drugs or athletic performance drugs. You can test them every day if you are willing to pay for the cost.

However, while you are testing my kids let's be sure to test the school board, adminstration of the school, coaches, teachers and the leaders of the National Teachers Association that has done their best to ruin public education in the United States. It's a fact that X % of people in the United States are using drugs and those people mentioned above are a part of society.

quote:

However, while you are testing my kids let's be sure to test the school board, adminstration of the school, coaches, teachers and the leaders of the National Teachers Association that has done their best to ruin public education in the United States

Then they would say test the parents as a lot of these problems start at home. I talk a big game when talking about drug testing my kids but after further review I don't think a witch hunt is in order. Appropriate testing for related activities is acceptable. I know that I would not want to be tested just for the sake of testing. I really don't care for anymore "Big Brother" looking over me.

I can see testing in our soceity for certain purposes like train Engineer, Military positions etc. Safety is a viable issue, as is responsibility in public office's etc....do politician's that make our laws get regularly tested??? hmmmm.

But I have to ask, to what purpose for HS kids who are mostly still juvenile's? Is it to promote abstinence? I guess you don't want a kid high while playing a contact sport...but hey the last time I heard of a guy being seriously injured playing chess or the flute or Horatio Hornblower in a play will be the first time.

Big Brother GO HOME....period!

as a father of a teenage athlete,who abused drugs with other teenage athletes.as well as band members greasers and about everyone else in the school. i would have welcomed drug testing. we probably wouldn't field a team at first.
our high school has instituted a little tougher athletic contract,but it doesn't include drug testing. that would be an eye opener for quite a few. i know it invades privacy and we expect a little experimenting. but our kids need to know the limits and in reality there are no limits untill you are caught or arrested,or worse.
our school system is 80% of the budget.that's a lot invested in our youth shouldn't we want to protect our prospect's? the work place has random drug test to protect the public and that's ok right? why shouldn't we make our schools safe as well? these are our future leaders,maybe they should be protected from themselves? i'm not a big fan of big brother looking over my shoulder but this if done right would be a huge deterent ,in my opinion. drugs or sports? drugs or school? would the kids make the right choice?
if you haven't seen it you won't understand it.i look at this from a different angle as well,maybe it saves a life.or at the very least some heart ache. it's a bigger problem than you think,and anything that helps kids i'm all for it.

quote:

Originally posted by rz1:

quote:

However, while you are testing my kids let's be sure to test the school board, adminstration of the school, coaches, teachers and the leaders of the National Teachers Association that has done their best to ruin public education in the United States

Then they would say test the parents as a lot of these problems start at home. I talk a big game when talking about drug testing my kids but after further review I don't think a witch hunt is in order. Appropriate testing for related activities is acceptable. I know that I would not want to be tested just for the sake of testing. I really don't care for anymore "Big Brother" looking over me.

I own a small business (32 employees) and we do drug testing for employees and take a guess who is at the front of the line? You are correct, it is none other than myself the boss, ceo, chairman of the board and any other title that you wish for me to have as I have been called everything that you can imagine.

PS I have never failed a drug test but I have terminated a 11 year employee for failing one.

What a controversial subject......every season. Son was a senior in high school last year. Coach made an announcement to the teamm...in 30 -45 days we are going to have a random drug testing of some of the players. Son and four other seniors raised their hands and told the coach to drug test them "today". Coach called each of the parents to tell us that our sons were being disrespectful to him and the program. Son claimed that he would be under a cloud all year if he waited until the 3- or 45 days passed. Everyone would know that the "team" was given time to prepare. I realized at that moment I could take a breath for a day. Coach had these five players randomly tested two days later and reported to the papers that he had "random drug testing with no notification" and he got alot of press for that and that his senior starters were "clean". I have no idea where I stand on the testing...I've seen the good and the bad. As for teachers testing I am raising my hand right now and saying if you need to test let's go. I learned that from my son.

Drug testing should be used for the sole purpose of protecting our young children. Consequences for school age children (high school) found to be taking drugs should include education and rehabilitation, not necessarily being thrown out of competition. Athletes SHOULD be targeted because they are at greater risk of taking drugs that mask pain which are highly addicting and taking drugs that can cause life threatening conditions later on in life (steroids for example) which can result in death.

I have mixed feelings on the subject, but I think if done in a way that will help to save our children's lives, not punish them, it can work.

JMO

quote:

Originally posted by cbg:
I own a small business (32 employees) and we do drug testing for employees and take a guess who is at the front of the line? You are correct, it is none other than myself the boss, ceo, chairman of the board and any other title that you wish for me to have as I have been called everything that you can imagine.

cbg,
I completely respect your way of doing business, because, it is your business.

I have a great friend doesn't drink, no kids, iq through the roof, team player, and he would be the first person I would hire to work for me because he has tools that are not taught. Sometimes when he's watching a game, reading the paper, or just plain kickin back, he has been known for having a hit of pot. Against the law yes, but he is so private with that he never leaves the nest if he goes there. It is his method of relaxation and he respects the fact that he can without being judged. Now, I have another friend and because of a back injury eats pain meds like candy, Hello Bob, whos home?. In many work places, which I'm not judging, maybe they are dumping their #1, and retaining someone lower on the food chain because he is on a doctors prescribed medication and trust me while he is a good worker it does have some issues attached.

I just think testing for the sake of testing has some potential personal rights issues and is not always crystal clear. Now if there are insurance breaks that come with it, or safety issues, there is merit. But if you can sit in a bar after work and slam a few and it is ok to come to work a little groggy, but if you test positive for THC and it is not affecting your work it is the kiss of death. That is a tight rope to walk in my opinion.

But, It is your business!