Teens To Be Tested At School For Weekend Drinking

[LionRun]

Just another thing that effectively puts more responsibility on the school, rather than where it should be - on the parents. I teach at-risk teens and dealing with their learning problems and behavior at school is enough, thank you very much. Parents already throw their kids' problems in the school's lap. I deal with it every day.

Our administrator contacted social services last week because our staff heard that one of our 15 year old students "felt up" a 13-year old at a party over the weekend. HUH? My ex, a former prosecutor laughed his head off and said, "Way to waste more tax payer money filing a charge that will go nowhere and is not the school's business."

What is it with people looking to government institutions to oversee everything in our lives? People should be feeling: "I am confident of myself! Let me handle my own life and family!"

My kids would be out of this school. I'll test my own kids if I think it's necessary. Next they'll be overseeing how the parents deal with a positive test, requiring that they do this and that. This interferes with the sanctity of the family. And yes, there are rotten families who mess it all up but who says they don't have the right to raise their kids they way they want? The law will get involved soon enough if a kid screws up enough, believe me.

I'm beginning to seriously worry about the state of of our civil rights in this country. I really wonder what has happened that people don't recognize the negative ramifications of this kind of trend. Maybe it's because no one learns their U.S. History and Civics anymore. Schools are too busy with this kind of b.s. As a public school teacher, I could write a book on how much time is spent on the wrong things.

What problem has government ever made better by this kind of intrusion?

Eve

Great post Eve!

Lion

 

[Amraann]

The school should definately NOT be testing the kids.
What happens on the weekends is up to the parents
to monitor. Teenagers do lots of stupid things that shouldn't
be a part of their school record. If the student is obeying the rules
while on school property and during school hours, then there should
be no problem. Randomly testing students is against their rights of
privacy and amounts to illegal search in my opinion.

Sadly they are subjected to illegal searches. The school can search their back pack, persons and locker.... They do not even really need cause.

 

[Taximom]

This is crazy! And why just alcohol? Why not go for the whole deal? Test for drugs too?

Will the test results be part of the student's file?

This is clearly wrong IMO. I see lawsuits aplenty in this school district, especially if the test has been proven to be inaccurate.

 

[csds703]

Sadly they are subjected to illegal searches. The school can search their back pack, persons and locker.... They do not even really need cause.

Am

This reminds me of that case of the 18 yr old girl who worked at Mcdonald's (I think) and was strip searched based on a phonecall from someone pretending to be a cop saying she stole someone's handbag.
How far is too far? If anyone ever searched my kids things or person they would be looking at a HUGE lawsuit.
Schools need to educate, and parents need to parent.

 

[angelmom]

Okay, I think this is a terrible idea, too, but everyone needs to read this thread and then go read the one about the third graders watching the diversity video. I find it interesting that many posters there think it is the school's job to teach diversity, even to children of parents who object, but that most of the posters here think the school is nuts to even contemplate infringing on parental rights.

Read them both. It's funny.

 

[BhamMama]

I don't think it's the schools responsibility to teach my child anything but the core subjects.

Not diversity, not sex ed, not manners. That's my job. And if I've done my job right, there's no need for the schools to step in via the governments request and take over.

I'm not down on teachers at all btw. I know they have so many government regulations and red tape that's it's crazy. It's government I have an issue with.

 

[csds703]

Okay, I think this is a terrible idea, too, but everyone needs to read this thread and then go read the one about the third graders watching the diversity video. I find it interesting that many posters there think it is the school's job to teach diversity, even to children of parents who object, but that most of the posters here think the school is nuts to even contemplate infringing on parental rights.

Read them both. It's funny.

Angel

The school isn't teaching in this instance they are policing. Now if the kids are drunk during school hours then that would be an issue for the school to address,but they are testing them to see what they are doing on weekends.
Two different issues.

 

[Dark Knight]

I don't think it's the schools responsibility to teach my child anything but the core subjects.

Not diversity, not sex ed, not manners. That's my job. And if I've done my job right, there's no need for the schools to step in via the governments request and take over.

Amen BhamMama!!!!! You go, girl!

 

[Amraann]

Angel

The school isn't teaching in this instance they are policing. Now if the kids are drunk during school hours then that would be an issue for the school to address,but they are testing them to see what they are doing on weekends.
Two different issues.

That is exactly how I see it csds. There is a fast difference between teaching them about diversity (IMO very near teaching them about different cultures)
And expecting to randomly urine test them for no reason.

 

[White Rain]

here's an article about schools doing random drug testing:


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16893833/site/newsweek/

 

[txsvicki]

I too believe that alcohol is a dangerous drug, but this smacks of Big Brother and I can't stand it. It's ludicrous and I wouldn't want my kids attending a school that did this.

It'll probably just lead to an increase in pot smoking, until they start to then randomly administer drug tests.

I agree. It's not the school's place to poke their nose into everything of everyone's life. I haven't heard of any employers, teachers, government workers or officials being required to take alcohol tests, so why is the school allowed to do this. I wouldn't put up with it because it is way too much control and if it is not something that is being done on their campus, then they need to stay out of peoples lives. I've heard of mostly rich people's kids doing the drinking anyway because they can afford it, so that is probably why they are not going to report it.

 

[angelmom]

I agree. It's not the school's place to poke their nose into everything of everyone's life. I haven't heard of any employers, teachers, government workers or officials being required to take alcohol tests, so why is the school allowed to do this. I wouldn't put up with it because it is way too much control and if it is not something that is being done on their campus, then they need to stay out of peoples lives. I've heard of mostly rich people's kids doing the drinking anyway because they can afford it, so that is probably why they are not going to report it.

Many require random drug testing. Alcohol is illegal for teens in any amount.

I still agree with you that this is wrong, though!

 

[MissieMt]

Well, Bless all of y'all. I agree with you, it IS the parents responsibility to keep track of what their kids are doing and to teach them right from wrong. I just wish more parents would do it. Even just them trying to do it would be an improvement,imo.

 

[BAD_BUTTERFLY]

I live in a small town in Illinois. We only have 1 high school that everyone attends. I graduated from that high school in 2001. Even back then our school tests randomly for those involved in sports. These are pretty good tests, as far as what they can find in ones system.

Nicotine
Alch.
and any drugs.

Many players are removed from teams when they come up positive for anything. They also do a game suspension when players come up positive from nicotine, unless they are the age of 18. What I have seen this do, is make drug use worse. Many of the athletes at that school are the ones with parents who have a bit more money than other families. Students doing research on drugs because of the tests found some information. That if you use cocaine it only stays in your system for 3 days for the tests to pick up. So if there is a long weekend. By the time they were back in school, it was out. Also if it was just a short weekend they might just skip monday classes to be safe. Many of the people that I went to high school with now work at our local prison (One of the only good places to get a job around here). They give the same tests minus the nicotine. And they only randomly test. These coke users from high school have good paying jobs and spend most of their time off high. It is really sad. Not that the school system is really to blame, chances are they would have used coke anyway. But it makes you wonder if the school hadn't been testing if the teens would have stayed using pot and gave it up when they grew up. It isn't nearly as addicting as coke.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[eve]

I live in a small town in Illinois. We only have 1 high school that everyone attends. I graduated from that high school in 2001. Even back then our school tests randomly for those involved in sports. These are pretty good tests, as far as what they can find in ones system.

Nicotine
Alch.
and any drugs.

Many players are removed from teams when they come up positive for anything. They also do a game suspension when players come up positive from nicotine, unless they are the age of 18. What I have seen this do, is make drug use worse. Many of the athletes at that school are the ones with parents who have a bit more money than other families. Students doing research on drugs because of the tests found some information. That if you use cocaine it only stays in your system for 3 days for the tests to pick up. So if there is a long weekend. By the time they were back in school, it was out. Also if it was just a short weekend they might just skip monday classes to be safe. Many of the people that I went to high school with now work at our local prison (One of the only good places to get a job around here). They give the same tests minus the nicotine. And they only randomly test. These coke users from high school have good paying jobs and spend most of their time off high. It is really sad. Not that the school system is really to blame, chances are they would have used coke anyway. But it makes you wonder if the school hadn't been testing if the teens would have stayed using pot and gave it up when they grew up. It isn't nearly as addicting as coke.

Just my 2 cents.

I totally agree w/ you. Many of my students on probation switch from pot to alcohol because of their regular UA's and get in even more trouble. Or they switch to coke - not as often - my students are financially unable to buy coke, usually. Also more trouble than pot.

Also I have no problems with testing athletes on school teams as long as they agree to it (and their parents) at the beginning of the season. They are representing the school, it is a privilege and they can have some special rules, imo.

Eve

 

[Jeana (DP)]

My son will be starting high school next year. He must keep a high "A" in all four of the AP classes he must take, continue with his volunteer work in the community, his chores at home and take a drug test any time I ask for it. For all of that, he'll be allowed to play football, basketball, track and be in the band.

 

[GlitchWizard]

My son will be starting high school next year. He must keep a high "A" in all four of the AP classes he must take, continue with his volunteer work in the community, his chores at home and take a drug test any time I ask for it. For all of that, he'll be allowed to play football, basketball, track and be in the band.

It's hard to keep high A's in all four AP classes - but low A's are okay, too, in my book. Actually, I don't say a word about any class she has an A or a B in. That's her reward. I keep my mouth shut regarding homework, assignments, whatever. If she were to start to get a C (such as midterm progress reports) I'm all up in her face about every assignment until it's back up in time for the report card! It works! No C's!

However, I just wanted to say that I hope you are viligent about looking for a reason to test your son, and that no reason ever crosses your mind because he's such a good kid.

 

[Melisinde]

My son will be starting high school next year. He must keep a high "A" in all four of the AP classes he must take, continue with his volunteer work in the community, his chores at home and take a drug test any time I ask for it. For all of that, he'll be allowed to play football, basketball, track and be in the band.

Jeana, do you know my mom? :laugh:

 

[Jeana (DP)]

It's hard to keep high A's in all four AP classes - but low A's are okay, too, in my book. Actually, I don't say a word about any class she has an A or a B in. That's her reward. I keep my mouth shut regarding homework, assignments, whatever. If she were to start to get a C (such as midterm progress reports) I'm all up in her face about every assignment until it's back up in time for the report card! It works! No C's!

However, I just wanted to say that I hope you are viligent about looking for a reason to test your son, and that no reason ever crosses your mind because he's such a good kid.

Well my actual words were (do your best), but neither of us are fooled that its not up there. He's got his father's brain, thank the Lord!! I'd be happy as can be with an A (low or high). Now a B, I think I'd be concerned. He's never had a B before. That might be a reason to "test" him! LOL

My kids have been brought up with this basic notion: you have absolultely no reasonable expectation of privacy until you're 18 years old. I will read anything I want. Look in any drawers I want. I will attend dates if I feel I should. LOL And, if you start screwing up in school, I will attend every day with you and sit in the chair right next to you.

Luckily, I've never had the need to do any of that, but I wanted to keep the option open just in case.

 

[Nova]

I don't think it's the schools responsibility to teach my child anything but the core subjects.

If all parents were like you, that would be good enough. But as we prove here at WS every day, that isn't the case.

One of the "traditional values" of public schools in this country has long been socialization, including exposing children to people different than themselves. It is what long distinguished our schools from those of, say, Britain, with its tradition of different systems for poor and well-to-do students.

Once that was a matter of exposing Protestants to Catholics to Jews. Now it may be a matter of exposing European Americans to Near Eastern Americans, or religious kids to the children of gays. But if we are to continue as one country, it is an essential part of the process.

But I certainly don't see what that has to do with drug testing kids for what they did out of school. I see no reason at all why that is the school's job.