| Drug testing is a complex issue. On one hand are | | | | discreetly, unobtrusively, and accurately as |
| employers and consumers who have a simple | | | | possible, and that the ends justify the means. |
| reason for supporting testing: they want | | | | On the other hand, a strong case can also be |
| assurance that the people they hire or pay for | | | | made against drug testing. First of all, "false |
| services are drug-free. After all, the average | | | | positive" test results do happen, despite the best |
| employer wants employees to be dependable, not | | | | efforts of modern science. Moreover, drug testing |
| chemically dependent, and fairly so. | | | | is viewed by many as a violation of rights that |
| Employees who are on drugs pose a greater risk | | | | are guaranteed to Americans. One concern arises |
| of creating mistakes, injuries, and lost productivity. | | | | because drug tests are often given to people |
| It is reasonable that employers expect the best | | | | regardless of any specific suspicion of drug use. |
| possible performance from their workers, and | | | | This runs counter to "search and seizure" laws |
| drugs do not promote that (except in the case of | | | | that require "probable cause." By comparison, a |
| performance-enhancing drugs used by athletes, | | | | police officer cannot legally search everyone in a |
| which have, however, damaged the integrity of | | | | room or search every tenth person who passes |
| individual athletes and sports in general). Also, in | | | | by. Instead, a legal search requires the officer to |
| addition to employers, consumers also have ample | | | | have a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. So, |
| reason to support drug testing. No one would | | | | if the police cannot search people without |
| trust a drug-using surgeon, and it is safe to | | | | "probable cause," why should a company be able |
| assume that consumers also want teachers, | | | | to drug test employees who have done nothing |
| police officers, bus drivers and essentially all | | | | to arouse suspicion? Such should be asked, |
| workers to be drug-free. Plus, supporters of drug | | | | because Americans' freedom should be protected. |
| testing may argue that, while drug testing may be | | | | Thus, many people argue that it is better to let |
| somewhat embarrassing or obtrusive, a little | | | | some people get away with using drugs on the |
| embarrassment is a fair trade for confidence that | | | | job than to violate the rights of innocent people, |
| people are drug-free at work. So, supporters of | | | | and thus, the debate rages on. |
| testing can argue that it can be done as | | | | |