Schools drug testing
A town outside Witchita, Kansas has stepped up their drug testing of students to not only the athletes but to any student in middle and high school wanting to attend any sporting event, extracurricular activity, drivers training and other school related events. Some agree that this is a good idea. Others, including some students, do not like it, and neither does the ACLU.
The problem the ACLU and some students have is that they feel it invades the students privacy and rights. Drug testing has been done for a while for students athletes, but this is the first and the harshest policy for non-athletes. Most urban schools do not have as strict of policies. Those for the policy state it is in the best interest of the child and that good sportmanship and citizinship needs to be put ahead of winning. But is this the way to do? Should all students be required to take a drug test if they want to go on the field trip or attend a football game? Are their rights being violated?
Comments
It is in the students best interests to be encouraged not to use drugs, and privacy is already compromised in schools, but... It seems like these schools are taking advantage of their ability to limit student acess to events to enforce this. Excluding students who might use drugs from their own student body's activities dosen't seem like an effective way of communicating this concern- it's already an issue that often alienates students from their community.
Posted by: ruby | September 20, 2006 02:22 PM