Drug Testing in Middle Schools

A middle school in Pennsylvania is requiring their students to take drug tests before they can play a sport or participate in any after school activities. There are already some states that actually have this in their middle schools such as, Florida, Alabama, Missouri, West Virginia, Arkansas, Ohio, New Jersey and Texas. In 1995, there was a Supreme Court hearing for drug testing school athletes. But my question is, why a middle school? We all know that Olympic athletes and professional athletes have too, but why little 12 year old kids? Actors and actresses don't have to take a drug test for them to act in a movie or play. The sports are a little more understanding but not having to take a drug test for drama club or yearbook. That's crazy in my opinion. It would make more since to do it in a high school, not a middle school.

 

Mr.and Mrs. Kiederers brought this up. They have a child in middle school who wanted to play sports. The school sent home a permission slip saying that if she wanted to play a sport she would have to take a drug test. Her mother doesn't like that at all. She has a strong point of view. Both parents say that its unnecessary and takes away their daughters' rights. Their daughters are in high school now.

From the results, there are very few middle school students who have tested positive. Only thing they tested positive for was marijuana. 72% of parents in Maryville, Missouri voted for drug testing in their school system. The drug testing is expensive. Even though it would be free to the students, its going to cost a lot to a school. Maybe in some states, there should be drug testing should be held in schools, but I still don't think that it should be done in middle schools. If its to be done in a school, then do it in a high school, not a middle school. There is no way, where I'm in school now could we do that. My school doesn't have enough money as it is. So maybe drug testing should be done in high schools in big cities where there is a lot of drugs and gangs.



Bibliography

Excerpts from the opinions on random drug testing for student athletes. (1995, June 27). Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/27/us/excerpts-from-the-opinions-on-random-drug-testing-for-student-athletes.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm                      

Huhman, H. (2012, August 3). Career lessons from olympic athletes. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/imgres

Pilon, M. (2012, September 22). Middle school adds a rule: Get a drug test. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/sports/even-some-middle-schools-now-test-for-drugs.html?ref=education&_r=0                           

Powell, W. (2011, October 25). Constitutional or not? new criterion for government assistance. Retrieved from http://aspanational.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/constitutional-or-not-new-criterion-for-government-assistance/

USAMDT. (n.d.). The cost of drug testing. Retrieved from http://usamdt.com/local/baltimore-maryland/the-cost-of-drug-testing/

Wright, M. (Performer) (2011). In School District Giving Home Drug Tests To Middle School Parents. Pittsburgh: WTAE.com. Retrieved from http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/school-district-giving-home-drug-tests-to-middle-school-parents/1d0x59pcm?cpkey=38dd0a7e-d481-40fe-88b1-728899d1ccbb%7C%7C%7C%7C.