Transcript High School Drug Testing: Bad Idea

High School Drug
Testing: Bad Idea
Court Cases
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In 1995 an Oregon court ruled that schools could test entire
teams of student athletes, even if the team members are
not suspected of using drugs.
– The court felt that athletes were looked upon as role models so
therefore should be held to higher standards
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Note: Sports Illustrated article in report
Shortly after in a case called Earls, the court ruled that
other competitive, non-athletic activities like the choir and
debate team were also to be subjected to drug test.
A court in Delaware felt that the school districts in that
state have failed to provide evidence that explains the
necessity of implementing a drug testing policy.
Court Cases cont.
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Now in New Jersey, a Superior court judge went against the
first two rulings and said that “students should not have to
surrender their right to privacy in order to participate in
athletics and other extracurricular activities.”
Violation of Rights
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The ACLU argues that random drug testing completely
violates the Fourth Amendment right to be free from
unreasonable search and seizure.
Also the random drug testing policy forces students to
prove their innocence, when the law clearly says “that you
are innocent until proven guilty.”
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If you want to participate in extracurricular activities, you have to
say O.K. to random drug testing.
No Proof That It Works
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There is no proof that random drug testing of
high school students deters drug use.
– A study of 76,000 students around the United States
found that drug activity in schools with drug testing is
the same as in the schools without testing
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Note: Study analysis in report.
False Positives
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A false positive is when a student test positive for
drug use but has actually not used illegal drugs
at all.
Things that can create a false positive:
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Marijuana
– Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Mediprim, Motrin, Bayer Select
Pain Relief Formula, Excedrin IB Caplets, Genpril,
Haltran, Ibuprin, Midol 200, Pamprin, Trendar Cramp Relif
Formula, Cramp End Tablets, Medipren, Rufin, Naproxen,
Aleve, Ketoprofen, Orudis KT)
– Note: So if you have a headache one night and take Advil and
have a drug test the next morning, there is strong possibility
that you would test positive for marijuana use and be kicked
off the team
– Over the counter allergy medications, sleep aids, vitamin B2
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Cocaine
– Amoxicillin, tonic water, along with most antibiotics
False Positives cont.
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Opioids
– Poppy seeds, Emprin, Tylenole with codeine, Capital with
codeine, Margesic, rifampicin, Vicodin, Percodan, Percocet,
Wygesic.
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Amphetamines
– Nyquil, Contact, Sudafed, Allerest 12 Hour, A.R.M., Triaminic
12, Ornade, Tavist-D, Dimetapp, Sinex, Neosynephrine,
Actifed, Bayer Select Maximum Strength Sinus Pain
Relief Caplets, Contact Non-Drowsy Formula Sinus Caplets,
Dristan Cold Caplets, Maximum Strength Sine-Aid Tablets,
Maximum Strength Sudafed Sinus Caplets, Maximum
Strength Tylenol Sinus Gelcaps, No Drowsiness Sinarest
Tabs, Sinus Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets, Cheracol
Sinus, Drixoral Cold and Flu, Efidac/24, Phenegan-D,
Robitussin Cold and Flu, Vicks Nyquil.
– Over the counter diet aids, nasal sprays, and asthma
medication
False Positives cont.
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Ecstasy
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Nyquil, Contact, Sudafed, Allerest, Tavist-D, Dimetapp
Over the counter diet aids (Dexatrim, Accutrim)
Over the counter nasal sprays (Vicks inhaler, Afrin)
Some asthma medication
Prescription medications (Adderall, Amfepramone, Ritalin
etc.)
Heroin
– Poppy seeds, Tylenol with codeine, Nyquil
– Along with most prescription pain medications
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PCP/Angel Dust
– Diazpam as well as Dextromethorphan (which are an
ingredient in some cough medicines)
Leads to Harder Drugs
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Random drug testing creates incentives for kids
to switch to harder and more harmful drugs with
longer lasting effects.
– Marijuana is the most commonly used drug among high
school students. However the THC from Marijuana can
stay in the body’s system from 20-90 days.
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Cocaine for a maximum of 72 hours (small amounts may
go undetected)
Opiates maximum of 4 days
Heroin maximum of 4 days
Amphetamines maximum of 72 hours
Ecstasy maximum of 72 hours
PCP/Angel Dust Maximum of 11 hours
Conclusion
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Random drug testing is a policy that simply
doesn’t work. Most teenage drug use occurs
between 3-6 pm, the very time which most
extracurricular activities take place. It seems
counterproductive to be putting up any barriers
for students to be engaging in after-school
activities. Banning a student from choir or
scaring them to even sign up only allows longer
amounts of free time to participate in illegal
activities. If schools are really committed to
keeping students off drugs, then they should be
trying to engage them as much as possible in
school related activities.