Drug testing has become a part of professional sports; from the Steroid Era in baseball, the use of Human Growth Hormone in the NFL, to the recent stripping of all seven of Lance Armstrong's Tour de France titles, it seems that we can't go a week without a major story in the news or on Sport Center about illegal performance enhancers.
The NCAA, which runs all college sports in the United States, also tests for steroid use, as do some high school districts around the country... however the Milford, Pennsylvania school district has now extended drug testing all the way down to the Middle Schools and Junior High Schools... and it is not just for sports! Kathy Kiederer's 12 year-old daughter was interested in joining the Scrap-booking club at her local middle school. When she signed up she was informed she had to submit to a drug test. In Milford, participation in any sport, academic club, or extra-curricular club now requires a clean drug test. Some parents insist that such tests are unnecessary invasions of privacy, while other parents are applauding the school district for going above and beyond to ensure a clean and safe school culture. The concerned parents are claiming that the policy may be unconstitutional, however the Supreme Court has maintained that drug testing at the high school level is within the rights of public school districts... because of this Milford believes that there is nothing wrong with the testing of middle school students... Where do you stand???
Nicole Langlois Period 4
9/23/2012 11:46:34 am
I think that if your doing a sport in high school that is a different story but it is totally unnecessary to take a drug test to participate in clubs. If you are in high school and you take any sort of drug that will inhance your proformace then that is when drug tests would come in handy because some high schools take sports very seriously and if you have a college watching you in a game then they wouldn't want any drug users on their future team.
Erica period 3
9/23/2012 02:17:40 pm
Wow I am completly torn by this, I really dont know which side I am on. I agree that there should be drug testing for professional and college level sports. But middle school scrapbooking.... are you kidding me? Thats madness, I dont even understand what that accomplishes! Why is it neccassary its scrapbooking, come on now! That is kind of just annoying and I understand where some people are saying that may be an unneccassary invasion of privacy.
Lisa period 1
9/23/2012 09:45:03 pm
If your playing a sport then i can see people getting a drug test because a lot of people take steriods to excel in that sport. But to participate in clubs, people shouldn't need to take a drug test. That is completely unnessecary and useless. There is no reason to get a drug test in order to be part of a club.
Bronwyn Period1
9/23/2012 09:46:52 pm
I feel that its a stupid idea to test all junior high school kids for drugs if there joining a club. A sports team i understand because they need to know if the kid is right for a spot on the team. If a kid wants to join chess cklub they shouldnt have to be tested for drugs because a club is just for fun.
Mikaela Period 1
9/23/2012 09:47:28 pm
I think that this story is not right. I do not think this because if kids want to take a sport they should be able to. I think it should be based on their grades not if they do drugs or not. I dont think that drugs is any of there buisness. In junior high kids have to also get drug tested. To take a club is not right ethier because its not that active. I do not think this law is right.
Ethan period 1
9/23/2012 09:47:44 pm
I agree that they should drug test and trying to have a good clean school, but for chess and scrapbooking its really not that necessary. If you take steriods or something in chess or scrapbooking its not really going to help you much anyway.
Austin G.
9/23/2012 09:47:55 pm
This is crazy why would you have to get drug tested for chess club. I understand being tested for sports but not for something such as scrapbooking,yearbook, or travel club. Rhode Island better not follow this idea
Austin G. Per 1
9/23/2012 09:48:48 pm
I am in period 1
Nathan Fay Period 1
9/23/2012 09:48:06 pm
i agree with it because ts good to find out if the kids in your school are using drugs because you dont want a bunch of drug attics going through your school and if there are kids using drugs you dont want them to be on you team but i dont see why they are drug testing kid that are joining clubs, like the chess team or the year book club. its weird!
Austin G. Per. 1
9/23/2012 09:50:46 pm
i agree with that
megan parkhoues per1
9/23/2012 09:48:17 pm
i agree with testing the kids becouse they should not be doing drugs and going to do an after school or in school activity. i can see doing it for a sport but not a club i dont agree with eather side
Sam Malm period 1
9/23/2012 09:48:26 pm
I can see doing drug tests for the middle and jounior high sports, but for all academic and extra curiculear activites. Too far and beyond. Students should not have to take part in the drug test if they do not wish for it.
Kaitlyn period 1
9/23/2012 09:48:32 pm
I feel as though drug-tests are needed for certain activities. Clubs such as football, baseball, basketball, tennis, cross-country, etc should have drug tests admitted at least twice during the season in which the sport is played. Other activities such as scrapbooking, art club, drama, etc should see no need for drug tests. I feel torn between the situation and they should consider omitting drug tests for certain activities...
Zachary Patten
9/23/2012 09:48:53 pm
Hey look, people are so stupid they need to drug trst them for almost everything in this state. I didnt think the drug abusers were THAT dumb. I say good job Pennsylvania, good job! -.-
Zachary Patten
9/23/2012 09:49:47 pm
ops forgot my peroid.
Meaghan W period 1
9/23/2012 09:48:59 pm
PLaying sports should be fun and no one should worry about taking a drug test just to play. Even though some people do take steriods to enhance how they play, but if they have to take a drug test to join like chess club, drama, or a forigen language club then that is rediclous. there is no point because what harm could steriods do to how a person plays chess? I'm not saying that it's right to take drugs, but it's not right to make everyone take a drug test if they want to do an extra cricular activity.
Molly Period1
9/23/2012 09:50:05 pm
I think when it comes to sports, the schools have a right to take a drug test, but to participate in a club seems a little too outrageous. To join chess club or any club doesn't need a drug test.. especially for middle school. When it comes to highschool though, i think it's a great idea because of the increase of drug use for teens. If they really love the sport they play, they should stop for the season to be able to play that sport. It shows dedication and love to the sport. For clubs though, i think it is completely unnecessary.
Evan period 1
9/23/2012 09:51:21 pm
i think it is right to drug test people for college bcz if your really god at sports that is when the real teams are watching you. If you are in highschool they should still give them the drug test for sports only.they should not be givng then to people that want to be in a littel club after school for somthing to do waht do they really need to no about that how is going to mess up them cutting paper or folding paper i dont think this is right
Jacob McNamara P.1
9/23/2012 09:51:28 pm
I belive that it is not right to drug test middle school students. Preformance drugs should only used by medical peposes anyway. i can see if they want to drug test the higher classmen such as highschool students though.
Nicole Morales Period 6
9/23/2012 11:15:54 pm
I don't agree with this. Why would you be using a human growth hormone to join the scrapbooking club? I think that it is perfectly reasonable that students should have to do a drug test to join a sport, but I think that it is kind of rediculous that you would have to do a drug test for a club. I suppose that it is a good thing that students are being tested only because if the students happen to be using substances that they are not supposed to, then other students are also protected. I am kind of wishy washy on this.
Melissa Abels Period 5
9/24/2012 12:17:22 am
I think that it should be ok for schools to do drug tests for sports, and it is necessary because a lot of students will take steriods to enhance performance. However, I think it is completely ridiculous for students to be tested for a club. There is no reason that they need to have a drug test taken in order to join a club.
Tiana Dickenson Period 4
9/24/2012 12:45:21 am
I think if you are doing a sport you should do drug tests. However, not for academic and extracuricular activities. Either way kids shouldn't be doing drugs.
Jonathan Provencal Period 4
9/24/2012 12:45:27 am
I think that this is a good step people are taking. I think that it's necessary for people totake drug tests. It would probably reduce or get rid of drug and alcohol use in schools.
Nathan h period 4
9/24/2012 12:45:36 am
I think everyone who is going to start a sport should get a drug test to make sure no drugs are being used for better performance in the game. It would be unfair for one team to use drugs while the other is playing fair.
Matt Carney Period 4
9/24/2012 12:45:57 am
I can see them testing kids who are playing sports. Taking a drug test for a club doesnt make sense. What drug can enchance your scrap booking abilities?
Brian Period4
9/24/2012 12:46:31 am
I don't think they need to drug test something like scrap booking i agree that they should when you are playing physical sports because if your on steriods or athoter drugs your not only hurting yourselrf but you could be hurting others
joe medeiros
9/24/2012 12:46:53 am
i think that drug test for after school activities are unnecessary invasions of privacy, but for sports i think it could be necessary because of the different hormones or steroids but there is no need for drug tests in regular after school things. like some adhd medicines will show up in drug tests , and that wouldnt be fair to those students
Nick yehle (per. 4)
9/24/2012 12:47:01 am
Drug tests are good ideas. Teens who do drugs end up some were bad in society. Not to mention that when they do drugs it affects the way there body works and it affects you health a whole bunch!
Talaiha period 4
9/24/2012 12:47:08 am
I understand people getting a drug test for athlete but not for scrap booking. I think they should only do drug tests in things that can be inhanced by drugs. In scrap booking what can be inhanced? Or in things that are competitive.
Ambria Period 4
9/24/2012 12:47:19 am
i think that if kids want to do sports then they arent doing drugs. how can kids get thier hands on steriods this young. if you see any sign of a kid doing drugs though then i guess it wouldnt be so bad to drug test that person, but its not fair to the rest of the kids. invasion of privacy..
anthony period 4
9/24/2012 12:47:24 am
I think its totally uneccasary that there is a required drug test for kids that are in the chess or scrap booking club. I could understand doing a drug test for sports but not for after school activities.
mitchell period 4
9/24/2012 12:47:25 am
I think its stupid to drug test for school activities besides sports. Its pointless because doing drugs isn't going to enhance your performance for things like scrap booking or other clubs, they only have to worry about sports.
Gabriel Period 4
9/24/2012 12:47:36 am
I do not agree with drug testing for clubs at school. I think it is unresonable and its an invasion of privacy.
Jarell P.4
9/24/2012 12:48:03 am
I think thats its unneccesary to do a drug test for a club because steroids enhances your muscles so how wood it effect you say in a math club. Sports is another story because most likey more people would take it for sports to "get better". I just think they should only do drug testing for sports and that taking steroids for chess and stuff is rediculous.
Nathan M. Period 4
9/24/2012 12:48:38 am
I think that you should have to take a drug test for sports, but not for any clubs. Why would you have to take a drug test for scrap-booking. I think its a waste of time for that.
Ryan Grundy period 4
9/24/2012 12:49:19 am
you should be drug tested for sports but i dont think scrap booking should be one i mean what would it be use ful faster gluing and why would you need it for that
tyler mathias per.4
9/24/2012 12:49:59 am
i think that it is okay to do that to have a clean school because if i was a parent i would nott want my children to have drugs around them or be introduced to them. but on the other side i do think that it is a little privacy invading for have to do a drug test for a scrap booking club. i do think that it is all right to test for sports though
David Oliver p.1
9/24/2012 12:51:35 am
I think its an ok idea for travel and sports you dont want kids taking illegal substances with them while on a trip.
Andrea Henninger Period 5
9/24/2012 01:42:13 am
I think that it is a good thing to have students do drug tests for sports, but I do not think that it is okay to make students do drug tests for extra carricular activies. It makes sense to have them do drug tests for sports becasue they could be using steroids for better performance, but I find it pointless to have drug tests for extra cariccular activities.
Oanh Nguyen Period 5
9/24/2012 01:44:24 am
I'm a little torn in this debate. I think that getting a drug test for sports is ok but it's not necessary for a club such as scrapbook. Kids are growing up so fast these day and doing drugs in middle school are no shocking news. Even when I think it is wrong, i still think that if you're not doing drugs, it's ok to be tested. If the students are not doing anything guilty, they shouldn't be scared about taking the test.
Bryant per.5
9/24/2012 01:45:46 am
This is a very tough decision because many students are experimenting with other drugs besides performance enhancing drugs. This may potentially decrease the amount of student athletes and students that are a part of extracurricular activities. This is also a good thing because this is forcing students to stay away from drugs or there will be serious consequences. I believe drugs are starting to become a very serious problem in this era of young adults and teens so this is necessary not only for sports. If you're an athlete you shouldn't be doing drugs, bottom line.
Chelsea P3
9/24/2012 02:07:32 am
I think that doing drug tests for students on sport teams would be a good idea. However, for extracurricular activities, it doesn't make sense. With sports, it would be okay to show that students aren't trying to enhance their abilities with an outside source, but for an extracurricular activity, there would just be no need.
Travis period 6
9/24/2012 04:17:53 am
It is a violation of privacy by making kids take drug tests for clubs. It does make sense to drug test kids in sports because performance enhancing drugs can make them do better but why would they drug test kids in a club. Yeah they shouldn't be doing drugs but how is it going to affect how they work. Whats next, drug testing everybody in the school?
Alexia M period 6
9/24/2012 08:04:00 am
I am not sure where i stand with this. Having drug tests for high school sports sounds acceptable to me. Having them in middle school for sports is also fine. Having the drug tests for clubs sounds a little over the top. If a child has drugs and joins a club, how much damage are they going to really make? A sport on the other hand is different. They could use the drugs to make them better which would cause problems. I understand that the mothers are thinking that it is a violation of privacy but it also gives their children a conquence for doing the drugs anyway. I think that the middle school should have drug tests but I think that joining clubs is a little bit much. The parents SHOULDN'T have to worry about the drug tests because their children SHOULDN'T be taking drugs. I think that the government has a good idea about the drug tests but I think that joining clubs shouldn't need a clean test. 9/24/2012 08:53:54 am
This is good because it will scare kids away from drugs. If they want to join sports or a club they will have that drug test in the back of their minds. They will think twice about doing drugs because they will be worried about failing the test. It's not an invasion of privacy because what should a kid have to worry about if he is drug free? He or she should feel comfertable because all the test proves is that you are clean.
Mackenzie Egan
9/24/2012 08:54:39 am
Personally, i think it's perfectly okay to get tested when on a sports team, it makes complete sense. But to be tested to be in a scrap-booking, knitting, or even chess club is a bit ridiculous. And the parents shouldn't be worrying about the drug tests, because their kids shouldn't be doing drugs anyways. But, of course they still do.
Nicolle P.3
9/24/2012 08:56:31 am
I think it's stupid to be drug testing for clubs. In sports I think it is necessary because if you are damaging your body with drugs or trying to enhance your performance then you should be allowed to play, but in clubs you aren't usually exerting physical activity so it shouldn't matter. Also, it may push some student away from joining a club that they really enjoy or could've been a big assest to the group. So drug testing for clubs isn't necessary by any means... ESPECIALLY scrap booking.
Leah F Period 6
9/24/2012 09:33:54 am
I totally understand why people need to be drug tested for sports. What I don't get is why people have to be drug tested to join a club or extra curricular activity. If I wanted to join the scrap booking club, if we had one at Pilgrim, and I was told that I needed to be drug tested, I wouldn't join the club, because I feel that it is an invasion of privacy. Like I said, to me, it makes complete sense to drug test for sports, but for clubs and things, with no physical activity at all, and no ranking throughout the state or country, I don't understand the need to drug test the students interested in joining.
Daniel Peladeau Period 6
9/24/2012 10:38:40 am
I somewhat agree with drug testing in high school. It makes sense to have drug testing for sports because it is a very competitive world and being a little bit better in sports can equal scholarships for college which will help in the long run. So drug testing will help equal out the playing field and make sure that the games are fair for everyone and that everyone has the same chance of making a sports team. But, scrapbooking is going a little too far for drug testing. It's not like scrapbooking is a competitive club or anything, it just doesn't make sense for them to test all of the high school kids for drugs. But, if one group of kids gets a drug test, all of the kids have to get tested to make it fair to everyone. So one side can say that it is unfair, but only having certain kids get tested isn't fair, so either everyone has to get tested or no one at all can be tested for drugs.
Christina Genuario Period 6
9/24/2012 11:06:51 am
Drugs can definitely be a serious issue in some high schools, but in middle schools maybe not so much. I think that although they want to keep them safe, it is unnecessary for children to be tested just to get in an academic school club. Sports are a different story, but this is unfair.
Jesse per3
9/24/2012 09:47:09 pm
I think they should allow steroids in sports. Lots of athletes use them already but not all of them so it isn't fair. If everyone used steroids then it would be a fair contest. Plus it'd be far more entertaining to watch. I'm not a sports guy at all but, not gonna lie, if I got the chance to watch a football game with every single player all jacked up on roids that would be a pretty awesome game.
Danika Wayss Period 6
9/25/2012 11:06:20 am
I wonder why some parents would be so frustrated over this drug test. If their child is not on drugs they have nothing to worry about. I understand that having to test students to see if they are on drugs in non sports related clubs in a little overboard but I would not call unconstitutional. A school has a right to deny a student the privlage of joining a club and failing a drug test seems as good as any reason to deny a student this privilage.
Arden period 6
9/26/2012 01:03:51 am
To me, I can see where this rule is going and why it's being put into place. Parents really shouldn't be freaking out though. If their kid is not on drugs, they shouldn't have to worry. Drug testing for sports is one thing, but for extracurricular activities it's a little pointless.
Gabrielle Demers Pr.5
9/26/2012 02:30:00 am
I honestly am a little confused to where i stand on this. I agree with testing for sports, so that others don't have unfair advantage and so that when high school kids go to college sports they know what they are going to have to go threw. Now do i agree that the whole school should be drug tested all the way down to middle school im not sure. One part of me i think that it is a good idea to keep the school clean and the kids grow up well most likely avoiding drugs if they realize there being tested for them.but testing a 7th grader whose trying to join scrap booking that sentence just doesn't make sense. This is defiantly a topic that will have me confused for a while as to which side im on.
Katie Lundin period 6
9/26/2012 04:03:31 am
A drug test for scrap-booking? I know why there are drug tests for athletic clubs but for scrap-booking i don't think a lot of kids would be taking drugs to help them be better at scrap-booking. That's just crazy.
kassandra rivera period 1
9/26/2012 06:24:52 am
I feel that its a stupid idea to test middle school kids for drugs if there joining a club. A sports team i understand because kids take steroids to enhance their performance.
Kailyn Carr Period 5
9/26/2012 08:11:59 am
I don't see how this would become necessary, however I don't totally disagree with it either. Who cares if you have to take ONE drug test at the start of every school year? I personally don't feel like my privacy is being invaded, and I have nothing to hide or be worried about. So if you are clean, then I don't see what the big deal is. Plus, this might inspire some students to get or stay clean, so it could be beneficial in a way.
Alex Bowden Period 6
9/26/2012 12:09:22 pm
Why does a totally innocent student need to pee in a cup to put a picture of their dog wearing a Santa hat into a scrapbook?
Claudia DeMelo per 6
9/27/2012 04:17:24 am
Drug testing for a scrap-booking club is ridiculous. While it's important to make sure no one playing any kind of sport is taking performance-enhancing drugs, extra-curriculars like scrap booking doing drug tests doesn't really make sense. As for parents, yeah it would be a shock for them if their kid tested positive, but if their kids aren't on drugs, and the parents know that, then they have nothing to worry about.
Christian Gamez Period 5
9/27/2012 08:34:34 am
This is the most ridiculous thing i have probably heard of concerning school rules. I feel that the only ones that should be drug tested are athletes. I also think it should be for high school students as well because it is a waste seeing how the rate of middle school students that do drugs is very low. There is no need for students who want to participate in after school activities such as a scrap booking club to be required to take a drug test.
Sophie p.6
9/27/2012 11:20:47 am
I think that in some ways this is good but in others it isn't. Adults should know if their kids are doing drugs, so they can do something about it. But clubs and activities that are not sports don't need to do this because the drugs wouldn't enhance anything related to the club or activity.
Alyssa Ford period 5
9/28/2012 04:32:50 am
Drug testing for sports is normal and understandable but drug testing for clubs is ridiculous. Especially for middle school students where the rate of doing drugs is probably much lower than in high school. Younger students will probably be resistant to join clubs now because they are scared or uncomfortable with taking the test, not because they do drugs but because they have probably never been exposed to it before. Drug testing should only be for athletes because drugs will affect your physical performance.
Daniel Pietrantonio Period 6
9/28/2012 04:49:25 am
I have two opinions about this. One is that if the students aren't hiding anything then it wouldn't hurt just to pass the drug test. My other opinion is that there is no point of giving someone a drug test for scrapbooking, it will just waste time and money. I don't think that drug tests like these will catch on in other school districts because the other school ditricts would probably be able to tell that is pointless
Victoria Curley Period 5
9/29/2012 06:44:37 am
I think it is taking it a little too far by drug testing middle school students. I agree maybe with high school sports it would be a little more suitable because sports you need to use your body in those activities and drugs would negatively harm your body and your ability to be an athlete. Drug testing middle school students for clubs, has gone way to far as far as I am concerned.
Makenzie Driscoll Period 4
9/29/2012 11:15:08 am
i think that drug testing to do a sport is a great idea. if the students are high and they show up to practice and a game they have a greater chance of doing something stupid and getting injured.
Dylan Pontes
9/29/2012 02:35:59 pm
Wow! So that school district would rather waste money, time and effort trying to make kids do these drug tests to join clubs or sports when they can use the money to help pay teachers or improve the schools? I think that is ridiculous, I mean really does it matter if that guy in chess club smoked weed once, does it help him in chess. I think this is ridiculous and an invasion of privacy that needs to stop.
Casey White p.6
9/30/2012 06:28:00 am
i feel that drug testing is good to a certain extent. In high school sports drug testing is definatley needed because you cant have an athlete getting high before a game because that person can get injured cause they're not paying attention. When it comes to being in different clubs drug testing is not needed. I highly doubt that someone that is doing drugs is going to join a knitting or chess club. i just find that totally ridiculous.
Jessica Pope Period 3
10/1/2012 12:23:48 am
I think that drugs tests should be limited only to sports. I think it is pointless to do drug tests on people in extracurricular activites that aren't sports because it doesn't affect the person's performance in that activity in an unfair way. It also costs a lot of money for these drug tests. Money that could be used on other things.
Darren Grant Period 6
10/9/2012 09:07:30 am
I compeletly disagree. Kids should be able to join clubs without the consent of being drug tested. Don't get me wrong, the kids shouldn't be taking any drugs so they shouldn't really have anything to worry about, but it is an extreme privacy issue. For sports, steroid use may happen, but in college and in professional leagues, not high school. The world has definetly come a long way for people to want this to happen. Comments are closed.
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