MIDWAY DRUG TESTING

The Midway Independent School District trustees need to educate
themselves on the limitations of drug testing [being required for
students involved in extracurricular activities].

Extracurricular activities keep kids busy during the hours they are
most likely to get into trouble. Forcing them to undergo degrading
urine tests will only discourage participation. Drug testing may also
compel marijuana users to switch to harder drugs to avoid testing positive.

The most commonly abused drug and the one most closely associated with
violent behavior is almost impossible to detect with urinalysis. That
drug is alcohol, and it takes far more student lives each year than
all illegal drugs combined. Instead of wasting money on
counterproductive drug tests, schools should invest in reality-based
drug education.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy