Random drug testing at school - Research Paper Example

827). Based on a study that Ringwalt and colleagues had done in 2005 but reported only in 2008, a substantial proportion of schools in the United States are implementing random drug testing. As early as 2005, author Neil McKeganey has observed that random drug-testing has been not only practiced but also widely-developed not only within the United States but also within the United Kingdom (12). ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF DRUG-TESTING. Based on the work of James-Burdumy and colleagues, random drug-testing at schools is being promoted because it can reduce student substance abuse in three ways (xviii).

First, it is a deterrent because if students are sufficiently aware of ongoing random tests, the random tests will lead them to eventually stop using drugs or abusing substances. Second, by detecting substance abuse, mandatory and random drug testing can identify users for appropriate treatment or counseling. Finally or third, the random drug testing can have spillover effects on non-users. Reducing drug use or substance abuse is important because negative consequences can result from drug use such as low academic performance, bad habits and risky sexual behaviors (James-Burdumy and Colleagues xvii).

COUNTERARGUMENTS. We use the key arguments revealed by researchers Kern and her colleagues, working for the American Civil Liberties Union and the Drug Policy Alliance, on why some educators are saying no on the issue of random drug testing at schools in the United States. In summary, some educators are reported to be saying no to random drug testing because it is ineffective, costly, other methods are more reliable, and because drug testing can lead to other types of problems. The authors raised 8 points on why some educators are saying no to drug testing (Kern et al. 2). First, they say that drug testing is ineffective anyway.

Second, drug testing is costly and there more effective