Drug Testing at School??

[soccer]

My school next year is going to start a random drug screening program for all the students. It will be a hair folicle test. Every student will be tested at least once every semester during our free period. I go to a private catholic school so this is not going to be free. Each test costs $50. Which would amount to thousands of dollars because there about 1400 kids at my school. The cost will be added into our tuition.

I am not worried about the testing, just angry. Its going to raise tuition. I feel like its a waste of money. I rather the money my parents spend go to books and computers than drug testing. Also it is going to take time out of our own free time to eat and study. It also makes me feel that the school does not trust the students because the teachers are not getting tested.

Should schools be allowed to drug test like this?

(*sorry if this is the wrong place)

[Nickk XD]

My school, a public one, requires drug testing 4 times per year randomly for every student

[JackOfClubs]

My school doesn't do that, they will only test you if someone reports you taking drugs or they find you doing them.

And yes, it is perfectly fine for schools to drug test.

[ShatteredWings]

It seems extreme for EVERY student.

It should be a "if we have reasonable suspicion to suspect you're using illegal drugs we will test you", because of the cost.

my school doesn't do it. Just steroid tests in competitve sports.

[Scarface]

What are these people gonna do if they legalize Marijuana? They didn't do it at my school only if they thought you were doing drugs would they not only search you, but drug test you as well. Testing every student though is kind ridiculous IMO

[Perseus]

Paying to do that is ridiculous. I understand it if it's free and all, but why pay if you don't do drugs? It's a waste of your/parents' money.

[CaptainObvious]

I would on principle absolutely refuse drug testing if not based on some kind of probable cause to believe drug use was occurring. And even then, really.

America is so damn wacky about and obsessed with drugs. This stupid crazy shit doesn't happen in Canada.

[Jess]

I don't do drugs and wouldn't mind if my school had a drug test but I would be angry too if my parents had to pay!!

[INFERNO]

Legally I believe with your consent the school can perform drug testing at schools but if I were to have one done on me, I would want a reason. If you're not in competitive academic sports or are not suspected of drug usage, then this drug test seems to be rather pointless because what is the school planning to do with the results? Furthermore, if the school wants to ensure that the students are not using drugs (for whatever reason), why have them pay? Supposing the test comes back positive for say, alcohol, if the student claims to have drank alcohol off campus, what is the school going to do about it because it may not be affecting the student currently and may not be any concern of the school's.

[Peace God]

Wow a catholic school might have the right to do that but, i had no idea they did that in public schools as well. What do they do? Kick you out if you fail? Haha if they did that for my high school A LOT of ppl would be gone.

I would definitely refuse to take one... first of all it's a violation of my privacy, i wouldnt want to pay $50 bucks and most importantly because i would fail.

[Antares]

Okay, lets first take into account that you go to a private catholic school. Apart from the fact that they are religious and in general against drugs and also that they can do whatever the fuck they want, I would say go them.
Why not?
If you only want Catholic abiding students, then use your power as a private institution and get rid of the druggies.


Now some people have public schools doing this? I never have heard of such a thing but I only see it as an extension of the law in the schools which gets kinda iffy.
If you don't like it change institutions, im sure thats what the admins are thinking.

I personally don't see very many problems but mostly its because I know I'd pass and I am not an advocate of illegal drug usage.

[PatrickZii]

That's pretty intense. Guess they must think it is a real problem to take such a measure.

[Sith Lord 13]

Catholic schools can do almost whatever the hell they want. You couldn't even attend my high school unless you were a baptized roman catholic. And if you hadn't made confirmation, they made you make it there your freshman year, or else you'd be kicked out.

I say the only problem is the cost. Other than that I'm all in favor of it.

[ThomasB.]

=S Don't like the idea of your tuition going up because of a drugs test?! If its that important the gov't should pay! Over here in Scotland they're not allowed to do it.. some law crap ;)

[KidImage]

It seems extreme for EVERY student.

It should be a "if we have reasonable suspicion to suspect you're using illegal drugs we will test you", because of the cost.

my school doesn't do it. Just steroid tests in competitve sports.

[The Madness.]

If you can't transfer schools, then you're going to have to put up with it.
If you're clean, it's not that big of a deal, and if your parents know about it and aren't worrying that much about tuition, then it may not be as big of a deal as you think it is.

[Wonder.]

Why don't you go to the principal or whoever and tell them you find it ridiculous to have to pay for it? Saying it on here isn't going to change it. I suggest you get a group of people and go the school leader and talk with them explaining how you are upset about it.

[Ryhanna]

What are these people gonna do if they legalize Marijuana?

Probably start putting people on a lie detector and making them fess up to taking drugs while it WAS legal :O They need to get a grip, theres worse things.

I don't support illicit drug usage, but this isn't really fair.
It's really none of the schools business what students do outside school. I mean, if a kid was caught doing drugs at school I would understand. This just seems like an invasion of privacy to me.

It's a catholic school, so lets ask the pope and see what he says? :D

[May-]

I think it's pretty ok for them to do the exam, but to ask the students to pay for it? RIDICULOUS