Yes, you read correctly. The school board for Whitefish, MT, would like to start random drug testing for all students that participate in ANY after school activity ranging from band and cheerleading to football and the AV club.
Check out this link for the complete story -- http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/04/20/news/local/news02.tx
Of course, this has sparked a huge amount of outrage in the heavily drug-laiden community. But, my question is....Why??
I have 2 grown daughters and another one that is 17. And, I have two sons up and coming. I, like any father, have asperations of watching them throw the game winning pass or be good enough on the floor to score 50 pts in a game. Heck, Id be proud to watch them play tuba while cheering on the others from the sidelines if that is what they want to do as long as they do it to thier best.
So, if my 17 yr old or one of my sons were to come home and say that the school was going to start drug testing him at random because he is in the band, my first reaction would not be to freak out on the school board...or those that proposed this activity. My first action would be to go to my child and say..."Do you have anything to hide? If I were to test you right now, would you pass?"
I understand how parents can see this and say that this infringes on their rights...or crosses the line into the realm of parent's responsibilities. Yes, it is an extreme measure and probably a bit invasive. But, something has to be done. Someone has to show enough love for these kids to want to steer them into the right path. If a random drug test is going to force people to toe the line, then so be it. My dad used to call it tough love. I call it tough love. And, in this case, perhaps it is the right thing to do.
Im sure there are hundreds of different opinions on this than mine. Please comment.
Clint there is certainly nothing wrong with a little tough love. I think sometimes there is some gray area when it comes to 'rights'. Participating in extracurricular activities is NOT a right, it is a privilege. Passing a drug test is one way that these students will have to pay for that privilege. They certainly have the right to choose not to take the test and therefore choose not to play sports, or cheer, or be in the band.
As a parent of 3 high school students and 1 middle schooler, if any of mine were faced with this and elected not to take the test, I promise there would be a drug test in their very near future anyway!
All the Best!
Clint - I agree with you (& Kathy) regarding the tough love and hiding stuff. My wife and I were talking about teenage girls walking around in, in my opinion, unacceptable attire at the mall and I asked her if she thought the fathers let their daughters dress like that to which she replied, "Honey, no way, but you hide your clothes in your purse or backpack and change when you get to the mall!" Ta-Dah!!! I replied that I would upon conception of a daughter and her reaching teenage years search every bag and purse for said contraband until she turns 18. My wife said, 'what about her privacy?' to which I replied, 'when she turns 18 she can have all the privacy she wants...especially if she pays for her own college, otherwise, see ya at graduation!"
Sports are a privelage as well as privacy (until you are grown). I'm all about trust but also 'checking in' saves a lot of troubles in the end!
I would rather be a jerk than end up with my child in rehab or worse. I have to wonder what kind of behavior the parents are condoning that oppose this testing. Around here I find that a lot parents don't want to know..they live with their head in the sand and then they are in shock and awe when they get that call from the police that their child has been arrested for underage drinking or possession.
When did we stop being parents?
Nathan -- You and me both!!!! Luckily, my 17 yr old and I have a very solid understanding. She steps out of line, she loses everything. And it will remain that way until she graduates, 18 or not. And, it may even remain if she lives with me to go to college. Im all about trust...but trust is EARNED also!
Kathy -- Exactly! That is exactly my point! At what point did someone come up with the idea that it was ok to condone this type of activity?? And, believe it or not, opposing the testing is condoning the usage!
"I understand how parents can see this and say that this infringes on their rights...or crosses the line into the realm of parent's responsibilities." I have to throw my 1.5 cents in on this. I may be taking this a bit extreme, but why aren't they complaining about the immunization shots their child has to have? Those are much more "invasive" procedures. Is it because those are for the safety of their child? Hello? The reason for random drug testing is, guess what, the safety of their child. Heck, make it a condition of graduation that the students successfully pass drug tests. Whether it be performance enhancing drugs, recreational drugs, or addiction to over the counter drugs, if they can't pass the test have shown an inability to make the right decision. Can it be that the parents who balk at the testing really just want the child out of the house so that they don't have to deal with the ramifications of their child's poor decisions?
Diane -- Agreed...Its unfortunate that we have to do this kind of thing, but it is getting to the point that it must be done to keep everyone safe. I see nothing wrong with it in any way. In fact, I wish more schools would do it.
Im amazed that everyone that commented agreed with me. I was kinda thinking this would spark a bit of a debate. Pretty one sided at this point...I guess the AYE's have it.
Nancy -- I think you just said the greatest line I have heard on this topic yet...A parent should want their child to be drug free...Thank you! I fail to see the big deal as well, Nancy.
Duane -- Exactly...If you dont have anything to hide, this should not be a big deal. Makes me question the motives, antics, and possible personal habits of those that are freaking out about this.
Update: My son is 16, a sophmore in high school and a three season athlete. (soccer/wrestling/baseball) I just went to ask him for his opinion on this. He actually likes the idea and wishes Massachusetts would pass something like it. He doesn't think that the kids who do not do drugs would have a problem with it as they are usually the ones who take pride in the fact that they do not do drugs. He really thinks this kind of control would really help clean up the schools and even deter kids from trying drugs to begin with.
Clint:
They do that here in Texas but it is a joke. They only manage to do literally a very tiny amount of student athletes and of course the school is warned in advance so it is futile. I think last year 20 something students were tested.
Hi Clint,
Just curious as to how the drug testing has worked out. Any updates?