TEEN TALK: In our new series we have teens writing for teens (and their parents) on typical teen topics. We're kicking off with drug testing in school...
Drum roll please: we’ve created a brand new series, Teen Talk, written by Singapore’s clever teenagers especially for other teenagers (and their parents). We’re kicking things off with these words by 15-year-old Poppy, who has quite a lot to say on the subject of random drug testing in school…
Drug testing in schools: my opinion
My school has recently introduced a random drug testing policy on Years 6 to 12, and my mum is up in arms about it. She says it’s an invasion of privacy, that it’s none of the school’s business and most importantly, it’s a waste of the parent’s school fees. But is it?
To start, I think it’s worth putting it out there that I don’t take drugs, however, I do understand that many teens are curious about experimentation. I also know first-hand that teenage years are stressful, really stressful. I am in no way defending drug taking! I know that it’s not only harmful to your body, but also addiction is a terrible thing, and that it is also illegal.
But I do strongly believe that taking drugs is down to personal choice, and not actually the school’s business. If a school has cause for concern about a student, and it suspects drug usage, it should, in my opinion, go to the child’s parents, not take clumps of hair (150 pieces) to confirm suspicions. I understand that schools do not want their records tarnished with drug-taking students, but I don’t think that drug testing is the way to deal with this issue. Instead the school should concentrate on educating students, teaching them about addiction, and informing them about the strict laws in places like Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia – countries which carry really serious consequences for drug use.
The pros and cons of drug testing in schools
I think the best way to present my ideas is in a pros and cons list:
PROS
- It can act as an ‘out’ in social situations: For example, if you are at a party and someone offers you narcotics, but you don’t want to take them, saying “We have random drug testing in school!” is less stressy than being socially pressured. I am not saying this is right, in fact, in an ideal world this would never be a point at all.
- The school can offer support: If a student tests positive, my school at least use that as a stepping stone for helping the student reach out to a counsellor and to get the help they need.
- It’s dangerous to have a drug habit: Random drug testing in schools IS a deterrent for sure – especially in Singapore, where the consequences are detrimental, not only to the user, but to their whole family.
CONS
- It’s an invasion of privacy: Frankly, I do not feel that it is the school’s business what students do outside of school hours, as long as it does not affect a student’s life in school.
- It’s not always reliable: Drug tests are usually accurate, however 5-10% of the time you can get a ‘false positive’. The stigma of this would be pretty awful.
- It fails to distinguish between legally prescribed and illegal drugs: Many teens take anti-depressants or other forms of legally prescribed drugs, and a drug test can’t distinguish between the two.
Of course, I know that taking illegal drugs is not something anybody should be doing, but I am still not convinced that schools have the right to test for it. On the flip side, if a teenager does have a problem and it comes to light, and that teen gets the help they needed, then it is a good thing.
So is drug testing in schools an infringement on a pupil’s right? My own jury is still out: what do you think?
Editor’s note
Parents, this is an emotive topic for sure, and one that we should definitely be discussing with our own teenagers. We were young once, honest, kids!
If you do suspect that your child is involved with drugs or drug-taking, then do reach out to WE CARE Community Services who will offer invaluable advice, get you the support you need and help with the next step on the road to recovery.
Other stories you may find useful:
Counselling and therapy for families in Singapore
Spotting depression in teenagers
Preparing teenagers for life beyond Singapore
Yes, your teen can work in Singapore
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