Why We Should Not Be Tested In Schools

High school students should not be tested for drugs. Currently less than 5% of high schools in the U.S. perform random drug tests on their students. Student drug testing is ineffective, expensive, and invasive. Science reports that drug testing does not work. Scientists have raised concerns that these programs could aggravate an existing drug problem. The National Education Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry all say that one of the best ways to keep kids off drugs is to get them involved in school and extra-curricular activities. Instead of putting up barriers like drug testing, schools should engage students in meaningful activities. In conclusion, high schools should

Forcing a student to urinate into a cup while a school official listens outside the stall violates the Fourth Amendment. Invasion of privacy can lead to things such as a student avoiding to participate in activities if they are subjected to a drug test. The Fourth Amendment is the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated. Students have these rights and should not be forced to take action in a test that violates their privacy and their rights. Moreover, schools should not be subjecting already body-conscious adolescents to this kind of humiliating experience.

94,000 students at 900 schools found no difference between levels of drug use at schools that drug test their students and those that don’t. This means that there was no difference in the amount of drug intake. The drug tests did not do anything. Due to unreliable accuracy rates, drug testing can result in false positives, leading to the punishment of innocent students. Drug testing can lead to more consequences, such as students using drugs that are more dangerous but less detectable by tests, such as meth, cocaine, inhalants, or