Drug Testing High School Athletes, Right or Wrong??

In my district they are having informational meetings and could possibly starting to drug test athletes. Believe it or not, reviews are mixed. What is your opinion on this? Should just athletes be tested? What about coaches? What about regular students? Fire Away

We have a drug testing policy for employees of the school district I work in, but nothing for students. I would be in favor of testing ALL students on a random basis. To me, you can't single of only athletes or only those who participate in an extra curricular activity. Every student's name must be in the "drawing."

I think there needs to be some type of randomized testing for high school athletes as I know there are some that do not only drugs such as marijuana but also use performance enhancing drugs. For awhile I know there were many taking something called pro hormone.

With the effects that steroids have, especially on younger individuals, I think doing testing at the HS level will help to deter some from using it which is a winning situation for society.

Some in the community say that drug testing will only push the kids to start doing higher level drugs that are harder/more expensive to test for!

Originally Posted by thewaterboy

Some in the community say that drug testing will only push the kids to start doing higher level drugs that are harder/more expensive to test for!

At the same time though those drugs will be quite expensive to get and for kids in high school to attain it would be difficult.

Drug testing needs to be done in all schools. Anyone that thinks drugs aren't getting worse in our schools is either very naive or turning their backs on the problem. Some schools don't want to drug test because if a kid gets suspended or expelled then the school loses out on ADA money that they get from the state for that kid. Administrators that think that way are in it for the wrong reasons IMO.

I dont think the school is interested in expelling and suspending, only putting athletes/students that test positive in drug education/rehab type services.

Supreme Court ruled on this and said that since it is a privilege and not a right to play HS athletics (extracurricular activities), schools have the right to drug test.

I am all for it.

Originally Posted by thewaterboy

I dont think the school is interested in expelling and suspending, only putting athletes/students that test positive in drug education/rehab type services.

I would agree the 1st priority would be to get the student/athlete the help that he or she needs and get them back into school but most schools do suspend kids when drugs are involved especially if this isn't the 1st time that he or she has tested positive. Very touchy issue with arguements on both sides. Bottom line we need to do whatever it takes to keep kids off of drugs even if it means stepping on a few toes..

Originally Posted by ladiesbballcoach

Supreme Court ruled on this and said that since it is a privilege and not a right to play HS athletics (extracurricular activities), schools have the right to drug test.

I am all for it.

Thank-you

There is also concern in the community that public funds would be spent to drug test athletes when all money is supposed to be going to student acheivement. I believe that drug free kids leads to "student acheivement" but there are some that dont want tax dollars spend on drug testing.

If you're going to drug test athletes, you should drug test all students IMO.

Originally Posted by Run To State

If you're going to drug test athletes, you should drug test all students IMO.

From my understanding, SC ruled that testing all kids without reason is a violation of privacy. But since athletics is not a right but a privilege, it is not a violation.

Attending school is right and the kids cannot really opt out to avoid the test.
Playing athletics is not a right and kids can opt out.

So, the argument of testing all kids is irrelevant because basically, the Supreme Court, has said that ain't going to happen.

There should definitely be drug testing system for student athelets. I remember back in my playing days we had a starter who was addicted to marijuana and still is to this day. His life is in a ruin but perhaps if he would have been tested during high school, the addiction could have been prevented.

Originally Posted by Panther091

There should definitely be drug testing system for student athelets. I remember back in my playing days we had a starter who was addicted to marijuana and still is to this day. His life is in a ruin but perhaps if he would have been tested during high school, the addiction could have been prevented.

UH OH!!!!

You are about to get it. A bunch of posters are going to be sending you links claiming that marijuana is not addictive.


BTW, I agree with your assessment.

Originally Posted by ladiesbballcoach

UH OH!!!!

You are about to get it. A bunch of posters are going to be sending you links claiming that marijuana is not addictive.


BTW, I agree with your assessment.

Yeah, marijuana isn't addictive. People who smoke it can quit anytime they want...they just dont want to. lol

I agree that all should be tested if your going to test the athletes, but it would be a bad thing if just the athletes were tested. In our school the only way they drug test is if there is "probable cause."

Are all of the school districts employees tested?

Originally Posted by malachicrunch

Are all of the school districts employees tested?

Teachers are not.
Bus drivers are for obvious reasons.

Originally Posted by ladiesbballcoach

Teachers are not.
Bus drivers are for obvious reasons.

That's what I thought. Bus drivers are mandated by Federal law because they have a CDL license.