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Esmeralda Reynaga Ms. Mohr English 10 29 May 2013 Drug Testing Over the course of the past few years, the teenage drug use rate has significantly increased. More and more each day teenagers are giving into the pressure of society and using drugs. Whether they started using because of pressure from society, bad influences, or just plain curiosity, in the end they all experience the same negative effects. Just like there is a variation of how these teens started using drugs, there is also a variation in how these students are able to cover up the fact that they are indulging in drugs. For some it is not quite noticeable until it is too late, while for others it is clearly portrayed. This can be very bittersweet when you are the parent of that teenager. If you are able to notice that your son/daughter is using then you are able to do something and help them out before the situation gets any worse. But when you are the parent of the child that has somehow been able to mask their usage, you rely on any potential thing that could possibly inform you that your child in taking part of this teenage drug use epidemic. Drug testing can be very beneficial in this scenario, clearly stating whether or not your child in using drugs. But is drug testing really truly beneficial when it done on a larger scale, such as a school? No. Therefore, I believe that schools shouldnt allow random drug testing to be practiced. It is commonly believed that drug testing is a simple way of finding out if one's child is using drugs, pee in a cup, wait a few days, and then receive your yes or no result. What these people don't realize is that these drugs test are far more complex and have a lot more loopholes as to where one can potentially cheat the test. Dr. Sharon Levy, director of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program at Childrens Hospital Boston, explains that, if

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someone is using a drug not being tested for by the panel, the test will come up negative. If its been 48 to 72 hours since the student last used, the test will likely come up drug free. So why is that we are relying so much on these tests, when in reality these tests can be easily altered and manipulated by the student itself. Judith Kirkwood a Fitchburg, Wis. mother is one of the few parents has experienced the results of these little glitches in the drug tests. Her son who started using drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, and heroin in middle school was able to get a hold of other students urine and cheat the drug tests and get away with his usage. She states, You literally have to have your eyes glued to kids private areas in order to ensure a clean screen. This is potentially not even a considerable thing going against many personal violations, when in the end it doesnt even have a potential benefit. As a result of these drug tests being administered by professional physicians it gives people a sense of trust in getting accurate results. But even if they are able to get the most accurate result and are able to be enlightened with the knowledge that their child is using drugs, it doesnt necessarily mean that, that will scare the child driving him to stop using. Leading experts say that there have been scientific studies which prove that outreach programs that actually provided knowledge and information about the potential threats that come along with the indulgence of drugs indicate that those kids that go through these programs do fewer drugs. On the other hand there are no scientific studies that actually state and/or provide evidence that random drug testing has some sort of impact along these lines. It sounds more logical that instead of just giving kids a mixed message of exactly how to respond to these random drug testing, we should provide them information that give them clear view as to why they shouldnt be using drugs. In addition to both the test not being completely reliable and not completely effective, random drug testing violate the trust that these kids have on their elders. For example, my

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uncle has recently taken part of joining the drug use epidemic yet not only did his bad decisions affect him but it also affected my cousin. Her school, after learning of her fathers usage, was called into the office and asked to take a drug test. Her being a straight A student never known of getting into mishap, was not only has baffled by the sudden approach, but was also insulted in the hidden accusation made by the elder she once looked up to, implying that she might be using drugs. After denying to take the drug test, her way of viewing the school staff, that she once trusted and confide to, had changed completely. This can be a very negative thing because not only does the child feel insulted, but they also feel betrayed. How exactly are you supposed to trust someone when they dont even trust you? Looking at all these different aspects that come along with drug testing, sure dont make it seem as positive. Although I believe that school should not randomly drug test children, I do believe that they should give the students the resources they would potentially need if they were to seek for their usage on their own. Having voluntary drug test available, promoting the anti-use of drugs, or just simply increasing the awareness of drugs. This way it offers the kids a way to seek help and reduce the increasing epidemic of teenage drug use, without being forced into getting deeper into negative habits all because a simply drug test was forced upon them.