The high school's program uses standard urine testing to screen samples for marijuana and other illicit drugs - alcohol and nicotine are not among the sought-after chemicals. The tests allow for habits that are illegal at most high school students' age - if administrators simply wish to isolate illegal behavior among high school students, their so-called cure is already faulty, at best.
The tests are inefficient - they seek out drug use the wrong way at the wrong time. Habits, like extracurricular activities, tend to occur in students' after-school hours. The most serious effects of drug use would arise in the classroom. If Burlington administrators are looking to regulate students' performance, would they have students take drug tests before walking into school each day?
A student can be excluded from an after-school activity for a number of reasons, without the expulsion affecting his or her academic standing. However, if students are subjected to mandatory drug tests simply because they want to join a group or team, the results of those tests could have a negative impact on students' academic standing within the school district. Students may face sanctions although the test results may be no indication of the student's academic performance.
Students experiment with and use drugs for a number of reasons, including some serious social factors. The student who abuses drugs as a temporary escape from a difficult home or family situation might rely heavily on extracurricular activities as a nonchemical way to escape rough situations, build positive social interactions and increase self-esteem. Children who depend on drugs to lift them up are the kids who need activities like band and sports the most. Excluding them from after-school groups means the students have nowhere to go and nothing to do - except more drugs.
Administrators do not have the students' best interests in mind when they enforce mandatory drug testing before allowing extracurricular participation - they misinterpret the function of the activities. After-school programs are meant to engage, involve and build students' confidence and interests. Mandatory drug testing turns programs - which could be focused on positive processes and outcomes - into a reward for the worry-free and a bane for students with drug problems. Administrators at Burlington and other districts across the country must refocus and give students with drug problems the opportunity to increase their sense of self-worth and encourage them to participate in after-school programs - besides detention.