Abstract

This essay discusses the positive as well as the negative points to mandatory student

drug testing within schools. Within the positive areas of drug testing includes what mandatory

testing is for, and why this idea is detrimental to providing a safe learning environment for

students. The negative areas of mandatory testing include the ethics and questions to the

students fourth amendment right as well as questions to the effectiveness of student drug

testing. This paper concludes with a slight synopsis of what educators and staff can do to

provide students additional resources.

Pros of Drug Testing Students

There are many things that could be said about the positivity for drug testing students.

One of the most common is in regard to prevention. According to a study released by the

National Center for Education Evaluation Regional Assistance, & Institute of Education Sciences,

“students involved in extracurricular activities and subject to in-school drug testing reported

less substance use than comparable students in high school without drug testing” (Burdumy,

2010). The fact that less students are testing positive for drugs is a positive however there could

be many reasons for this. It could be less students are willing to use drugs for fear of testing

positive at school, or that they are less likely to succumb to peer pressure in trying or using

drugs because of the school policy. “The goal of the mandatory drug testing program was to

reduce student substance use in three ways- by deterring substance use, detecting substance

use, and by have spillover effects on other students in the school as they observe and are

influenced by the behavior of their peers” (Burdumy, 2010).

 In the cases of students who do not pass their drug test. This leads to the opportunity

for early intervention and prevention. Depending on who is authorized to see the results of

student’s tests, staff and educators can intervene and provide assists to help students who feel

the need to use drugs. Mandatory student drug testing encourages a truly drug free and safe

environment for students to learn in

Cons of Drug Testing Students

One of the largest arguments against mandatory student drug testing resides around

the conflicts of individuals Fourth amendment right. The Fourth Amendment right being the

right that prevents people from improper search and seizure. Students are not given a choice

on submitting a drug test nor are they issued a warrant which clearly violates the Fourth

Amendment to the U.S Constitution.

Another issue some have with mandatory drug testing for students is that the evidence

does not prove that implementing student drug testing has many positive effective long-term

results. In the same study referenced previously by the National Center for Education

Evaluation Regional Assistance, & Institute of Education Sciences suggests that “there was no

effect on any group of students reported intentions to use substances in the future. Of the

students’ subject to testing, 34% reported that they ‘definitely will’ or ‘probably will’ use

substances in the next 12 months, compared with 33% of comparable students in school

without the program.” (Burdumy, 2010). This evidence suggests that mandatory drug testing is

only effective for the short period testing takes place. Drug testing students can also be a large
additional expense to place on a school. This money could be placed into other programs

instead.

What Can Educators Do

There are a few things educators and staff at schools can do to. For starters, working in a school

with or without mandatory drug testing educators can create a safe, low stress, learning

environments in which students can thrive in. “School climates can reduce substance

use, and national surveys verify that students in schools with positive climates have better

mental health and less drug use” (Sznitman, 2013). Staff should be in place for students to

discuss personal issues with such as school counselors and addition resources should be

provided for struggling students. “Student drug testing is but one part of a comprehensive drug

and alcohol prevention, intervention and treatment program” (United States, 2004). With this

in mind with whether schools drug test or not educators need to be aware of issues going on in

their school and be knowledgeable on what they can do.

 References
James-Burdumy, S., National Center for Education Evaluation Regional Assistance, & Institute of

Education Sciences. (2010). The effectiveness of mandatory-random student drug

testing. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education

Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences.

Sznitman, S. (2013). Exploring the promise of mandatory random student drug testing by

comparing it to other school drug prevention strategies. Addiction, 108(5), 848-850.

United States. Office of National Drug Control Policy, issuing body. (2004). What you need to

know about starting a student drug-testing program.