Drug Testing

Do you agree that drug testing should be done as a requirement for admission to schools? Why and why not?"

Drug abuse is a health issue for students and the proposed random drug testing as initial requirement for admission in schools is punitive, not preventive in nature. This random drug testing program will elevate the fears that drug testing, which is a major component of a comprehensive campaign against illegal drugs, would violate certain basic human rights of students. First of all, it’s discriminatory. Why are students as a group being singled out for testing? Does being in school make one more likely to be a drug user? Secondly, it’s an invasion of privacy. No one can be compelled to undergo testing without his or her consent. Law enforcement agencies implementing this program must respect the rights of the students/child, particularly those outlined by the United Nations, in the fight against drugs. To a great extent, I deeply expressed fears that in the absence of guidelines formulated in a democratic, consultative manner, this random drug testing focused on the youth of this land especially in the hands of overzealous law enforcement officers can potentially put the child’s human rights in danger of being violated.


Moreover, the government must be reminded that students generally are not adults and thus, parental consent is vital to any activity that infringe on the child’s right to privacy, because children are not ‘self-actualized adults’ that have deeper understanding of the parameters of their rights. It should be noted that the practicality of implementing random drug testing be abolished and instead I suggest that government funds available to address the drug menace be used to strengthen education campaigns in schools, enhance support systems for drug users in communities, or implement other “more child-friendly programs. Additionally, drug tests have even been used as a chance to profit by certain private schools that charge a drug test fee among their miscellaneous fees during enrollment.

The drug testing program as part of eligibility for admission has no effectiveness whatsoever, showing that drug tests among students of a particular school were not effective in curbing illegal drug use. It’s just a waste of money. They’re going after students instead of the big-time drug dealers and pushers.

picture:oipom