Drug tests will help drug problem in schools
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Thanks to a $178,290 grant from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, drug testing of students in the Victoria school district will be increasing, and we’re all for it.
The students being targeted for random drug testing are those who participate in extracurricular activities or who drive themselves to and from school. We think this makes a lot of sense.
No one needs to be reminded of the tragedies we’ve seen across the country when steroids or other drugs have been mixed with the strong exertion associated with sports. Kids have died.
And the dangers of drugs and steering wheels being blended is so obvious as to go without saying.
As with any such issue that deals with personal privacy, there are those who will take this as a violation of the students’ rights, and as such should not be allowed to move forward.
We could not disagree more. What does an innocent student have to lose in this endeavor?
Answer: Nothing.
Conversely, what does a student stand to lose when playing the dangerous game of drug abuse?
Answer: At best, a damaged body. At worst, life itself.
Even though test results released Thursday showed only two positive readings out of the 10,117 students tested in four area high schools, we still believe that two kids diverted from a destructive path are worth it. We agree with Calhoun football coach Richard Whitaker that coaches are doing a good job of spreading a no-drug policy to the kids, but coaches cannot do it all alone.
Victoria schools Superintendent Bob Moore hit the nail on the head when he told Advocate reporter Rubi Reyes, “We have to help our students learn to make healthy choices with good moral character.”
Adolescents and teenagers don’t always know what’s best for them. We adults can attest to that, as we look back over our lives of years gone by and point to the decisions we should have made differently.
If we can save our kids some of the same regrets, isn’t it the least we can do for them?
And testing them to be sure they’re drug-free is a powerful weapon toward that end.
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Now we are testing a few students who play sports or drive. Next we'll be testing all students.
Next thing you know government agents will be listening to our phone calls, opening our mail and tracking out internet activities. Oh, I forgot, it's too late.
July 26, 2008 at 12:51 p.m.The newest way to keep the drugs out of the school is to pass at least 4 to 5 narcotic agents through the school system that look around their age... as a transfer student.. and that seems to help the matter because they dont know who it is .. and they shy away from bringing it to school..because they tend to mistrust everyone.. they see new...students and they dont know if its one or not...
July 25, 2008 at 11:28 p.m.Same goes for the Drug Dog... you have student aides in the office the secretary marks everything in her calendar or they over hear the phone calls.... and of coarse the students know what goes on in the office and next they know when the Drug dog will be there...
July 25, 2008 at 11:24 p.m.This isn't going to solve the problem, being a recent graduate of Memorial High School I know what goes on pretty much, and I know for a fact that most the kids caught in the last couple of years didn't quit they just got smarter about it, and every time they call one kid down to be tested text messeges go out to most the school informing them that they are drug testing that day and anyone who is worried goes home, so unless that first person tested is caught with drugs in there system good luck catching anyone.
July 25, 2008 at 10:45 p.m.I would like for the VA editorial staff to prove the heading of this opinion article.
July 25, 2008 at 12:38 p.m.They ask what an innocent student would have to lose. How about their dignity? I know, I know, I shouldn't be hitting you with foreign concepts.
Then they mention the 10,117 drug tests that produced 2 positive results. They claim this makes it all worth it, because they have diverted 2 students. What if the 2 don't stop using, which is highly possible once their only incentive to not use is removed. Or what if 3 other students begin using? If this happens, you haven't even balanced the ledger.
Then they quote Bob Moore, who used the words moral and character. Shouldn't someone tell him not to use words he doesn't understand?
Finally they end the rant with what this is really all about. Control and guilt. "Those kids don't know what's best for them, so we'll just have to show them." "Just look at all the mistakes we made."
I don't regret any mistakes I made as a minor. They are mine, I own them, I learned from them, and I am a better person for having suffered that process. I am so glad that I was allowed to learn these lessons as a minor, rather than an adult, where the stakes are much higher and the cost of failure is far greater.
The VA staff has this one dead wrong.