Argumentative Essay: Random Drug Testing In Schools

Drug testing began in schools in the 1980s. Before the 1980s it was rare to be tested for drugs unless you were an athlete or there was a suspicion in school. Over the last thirty years drug use has spread all across high schools throughout the United States and random drug testing has become more popular. Schools have adopted random drug testing to hopefully reduce drug use among students (Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Testing in Schools). Drug tests usually test for marijuana, cocaine, opioids pain relievers oxycontin and vicodin, amphetamines, and PCP. These drugs can be tested by using urine, sweat, oral fluids and hair. These tests differ in reliability and cost. Random drug testing has been legalized, but it is seen as controversial. Side A would say that random drug testing harmful and violates student’s rights. Side B would say that random drug testing is necessary to reduce drug abuse.

Side A would be that random

Judith Appel describes a national study on student drug testing has found that there are no differences in rates of drug use between schools that have drug testing programs and those that do not. From 1998 to 2001, about 76,000 students nationwide in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades, the study has found that drug testing did not have an impact on illicit drug use among students and that is including athletes (Random Drug Testing Is Harmful and Infringes on Students' Rights). In 2002 the United States Supreme court permitted public schools to drug test students participating in extracurricular activities. In the ruling, the Supreme Court only interpreted federal laws. Schools on the other hand, have to obey state laws which could provide more protection for students