| Drug testing and screening are routine for many | | | | atmosphere conducive to learning and student |
| people: athletes, job applicants, employees, and | | | | safety. Benefits that schools reap as a result of |
| students. Despite this, there are still others who | | | | drug screening are obvious. Primarily, drug testing |
| feel that their privacies are violated when | | | | reduces the use and market of drugs within the |
| institutions require them to undergo drug testing. | | | | school, thus, discouraging drug pushers to sell on |
| But it is imperative since the law condemns | | | | campus. There are also lower incidents of school |
| anyone who engages in activities involving drugs -- | | | | violence as most of the kids' violent behaviors are |
| it does not recognize differences between a | | | | due to substance abuse. As a result, schools |
| private user, a party user, or a drug pusher. | | | | become safer and peaceful, thereby maintaining a |
| Drug testing also offers many advantages for the | | | | positive learning environment. |
| individuals who require it and for those who | | | | The effects and help of drug screening to |
| submit to it. For employers who advocate drug | | | | students are more personal and less noticeable. |
| testing, it is a way to minimize costs and secure | | | | First, the substance and drug use problems of |
| gains. The initial investment in having all their | | | | kids surface making them open to receive help |
| employees tested ensures continuous productivity | | | | and substance counseling. Counselors agree that |
| and less workplace tension and problems among | | | | the earlier drug and substance abuse are |
| employees. They are able to weed out and reject | | | | detected, the easier it is for kids to kick the habit |
| employees and applicants alike who are drug | | | | off. Second, mandatory routine drug testing and |
| dependents. The employers save by doing away | | | | screening discourage students from taking drugs |
| with non-performing employees and by reducing | | | | and give them a valid, indisputable reason to |
| production costs such as salaries and benefits. | | | | refuse offers to use drugs. Surveys reveal that |
| Professional athletes also undergo drug testing and | | | | kids are more prone to take drugs if their |
| screening regularly to monitor use of performance | | | | reasons for refusing are easily dispelled by |
| drugs in order to maintain fair play and healthy | | | | pushers. Third, and probably the most crucial, drug |
| competition. | | | | testing helps develop the kids' full potential even |
| Aside from the major institutions requiring drug | | | | indirectly. If their environment is drug-free, |
| testing, schools, especially colleges, high schools, | | | | students are keener to explore positive activities |
| and middle schools are also subject to it. The drug | | | | like art, sports, or writing and give better |
| testing process includes mandatory and random | | | | academic performance. |
| drug tests among the students and school | | | | There are debates about drug testing and |
| personnel (i.e. teachers, maintenance, etc.). Though | | | | screening, especially in schools. But in situations as |
| there are some -- like Kansas State professor | | | | delicate as students' safety and drug use, perhaps |
| Bob Shoop -- who feel that drug testing and | | | | it is better to tip the balance in favor of the pros. |
| screening are invasive actions against a person's | | | | Surely, bright, healthy, and drug tested individuals |
| privacy and violations of democratic rights, most | | | | are preferable than free, drug-dependent people |
| think otherwise. Most school officials feel that | | | | with broken futures. |
| these are necessary efforts to maintain an | | | | |