(Drug) Testing Our Kids

The idea of testing middle and high schoolers for drugs seems tempting and threatening at the same time. Currently public schools have drug testing policies in place for students involved in extracurricular activities like sports. However, the Office of National Drug Control Policy is preparing to hold four "summits" on the topic of widespread testing. Drug testing becomes increasingly necessary in today's world as the list of drugs continues to grow and the ability to influence our kids seems to be displaced by other factors.

Schools are overrun with drug problems and its not an issue we can ignore. Affluent suburban schools seem to be particularly hard hit. Children of wealthy parents who are not forced to hold jobs or engage in after-school activities have more time to find ways to "entertain" themselves. Critics of a drug testing policy argue for privacy concerns and the welfare of the kids once they've been outed as "druggies". They're wrong on both accounts.

Every student at every school knows who is doing drugs and where to get them. As a result, the parents also know who those kids are. The current drug testing policy requires the child to be removed from school, and their extracurricular activities, immediately. The removal would come as a shock to no one. Therefore, privacy is not really the issue.

The larger issue in this debate is what to do with the child once he or she tests positive. Again, currently the policy is removal from school and sport. However, that only leaves the child free to use more drugs, especially if the removal creates feelings of depression. Test for drugs, but don't remove the child from the only things that prevent him or her from doing more of them and which create anchors in their lives. Coordinate with the parents to arrange counseling.

Drugs are affecting more and more children and at ever-decreasing ages. As much as parents would love to be able to see everything their children do, it's just not possible. School authorities have even less control. Drug testing, along with the education of both kids and parents (what drugs are out there, how to talk about it, etc.), can stem this rising tide.