During the summer of 2015, the United States federal courts opted to legalize marijuana; the main idea behind the legalization concerned health benefits in medications and procedures. Unfortunately, people abuse the medications, resulting in self-destruction. They take larger quantities of the drugs, develop addictions, dig themselves into a money pit, hurt people they love, and hinder their ability to function. People are willing to run the risk of these consequences in order to receive a momentary high, escaping from reality and increasing their self-esteem. Drug users enjoy the short term effects of drugs, continuing to use them, increasing usage, and exploring other drugs with more powerful effects. Addiction stems from constant experimentation …show more content…
The intake of drugs creates multiple problems for a society: in the classroom disruptions arise, on the streets accidents occur, in public places vandalism transpires, and at home relationships break. In order to address the issue of drug consumption, mandatory drug testing, based on the evidence explored, should take place in public schools. During the teenage years, new ideas in a community, such as trying drugs, can be influential, so drug tests are a method to prevent negative influences from harming the youth. Through a mandatory drug test, schools provide students with an incentive to avoid the temptation and curiosity to experiment with drugs. Mike Slaughter, the principal at the private school Marquette High School states, “I’ve given the kids a built-in excuse as to why they can say no” (Bock C10). The average high school student will be exposed to addictive substances, so providing a test with consequences would spark fear in many students, motivating them to avoid drugs. By enforcing a mandatory drug test, all students have a reason to abstain from drugs. Schools also recognize that “between ages 14-18, the brain is more susceptible to addiction, and testing takes that out of the equation” (Shapiro