How hypocritical is this? Bush wanting to do routine drug tests on our kids during school hours?!?

Question

And to help promote this, the government is planning on giving the schools which cooperate grant money.

What ever happened to privacy? Why are our schools being turned into nothing more than a military type camp where there is a thin line between things that they can and can't do!? I mean there are some schools that are outlawing TAG!!!

Opinions?

Answer 1

Amendment IV in the Bill of Rights



"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."



The US government cannot take anything from you without first having probable cause.

They may say that they are trying to keep schools safer, or that kids shouldn't be doing drugs.

That doesn't matter because the gov't can't take any of your possessions, even your urine, because the right to be secure in your possessions is one of your fundamental rights.



They may say that you cannot come to school it you do not submit.

That doesn't matter either because you are required by law to go to school.

No law can be passed that denies your Constitutional Rights.



If they did drug test people, then the students could, and should take them to court.

These Rights, as said in the 4th Amendment, "shall not be violated".





This won't be the first time it goes to the Supreme Court, and Mark My Words, it will go to the Supreme Court.



http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/94-590.ZO.html



This was a particular case where the school was able to fulfill its requirement that it "must demonstrate a `compelling need' for the program." 796 F. Supp., at 1363



Also, not every student in the school was allowed to be tested, but only the "students involved in extraciricular activities"(ie. athletics) were allowed to be tested because they were at an exceptional risk of injury if under the influence of drugs.



So, in order for a school to be able to test students it must be shown that there is a compellingly high incidence of drug use, and even if that is shown, the school can still only test the athletes.



All kids who are not involved in extraciricular activities were automatically exempt from testing.





Although I disagree with the gov't being able to do this, just to clarify, the gov't says testing is "to be private, confidential, non-punitive"

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_011708WAB_random_drug_testing_LJ.2f34473c.html





But don't worry, this will get shot down in the Supreme Court as a direct violation of the 4th Amendment.

Answer 2

I am not surprised that the current drug czar would promote such a policy.



Odd we have no problem requesting the people who come into contact with these children to be drug tested and to have background checks but when the same is required of the students someone has a problem- considering the recent violence in our schools committed by students- is there some reason we should not at least put some small (drug testing) effort into protecting the faculty as well as the students.

Perhaps if more children were raised with values and morals this would not even be an issue.







ADD: As the parent of a 15 year old girl- I'd love to know if she was doing drugs and her privacy starts when she starts paying her own way. Until then it's my way or the hwy.

Answer 3

well you know how it is with all those born again/recovering addict types....after they have done it, and had their fun, they reform by quitting, and think they now have the right to tell everyone else how to live.



I'm all for getting rid of drugs, but the only thing making more laws will do, is make more children want to rebel. That is pretty much the whole reason most of them do them to begin with. Bush-types are creating more of a problem than it really needs to be.



If you ask me, Republicans are exactly what they try to make libs out to be on right-wing radio.



When did Bush declare war on the middle class?

Answer 4

It stinks and here is a link to people who are doing something about it. http://www.mpp.org/ Please write to newpapers, school boards, and policy makers to tell them about your opposition to this. IMO a random urine test is only slightly less invasive and humiliating than a random strip search. I'm flabbergasted that anyone would grant total stranger this kind of power over the children in their (the stangers') care. Where are you right wing smaller government folks on this one?

Answer 5

Reason #487 why my kids don't attend government run schools.



But, in all fairness, if we're going to provide birth control and abortion counseling to school aged kids, why not make sure they kids are clean before they have sex.

Answer 6

this is a gross invasion of privacy -those results can be wrong or confused at labs - again the federal govt overstepping its bounds - private school kids wont be tested I bet - people make mistakes when they are young they learn from them and grow up -

Ron Paul 2008

Answer 7

This is in line with his AID program to Africa... Become a Religious Zealot like himself, abstain from Sex and you can get some money....



The problem is the corrupt b'stards that run these African States are only to happy to have this tainted money as it slips straight into their Swiss accounts.

Answer 8

Kasiia, people with the mindset that you have, usually wouldn't know one if they seen one.



This is only another way to make sure the lower classes stay in the lower class. pee dirty at school...then get your financial aid for college taken away.....start dealing drugs for a living....keep the law enforcement business alive.

Answer 9

The use of drugs (illegal drugs) is banned by the Federal law. If you break the law, it is no longer a privet affair of yours.



I was drug tested during Bill's presidency, i don't see the problem.



It's called following the law, disciplinary problems are a direct problem with America's public schools- when was the last time you went to high school? do you know how many fights I've seen when i was in high school last year? ( technical almost 2 years in a few months)



Tag is not a illegal drug..its a deoteraint...i think you are overreacting waaay to much.



@Fedup

Since you say you know so much about the Constitution and bill of rights- tell me where it says it's a invasion of privacy to have drug tests in a public school?

Answer 10

This is very hypocritical and funny. Do kids-who say they smoked dagga of hashish but not inhale-also have to be tested?

Answer 11

As someone educated in the public school system I can testify that public schools are and have been little more than prisons for at least a decade.

Answer 12

relax people IF this is true the ACLU will be all over it, it has no chance of passing, BUT!!!!!! drugs are more prevalent in schools than anywhere else in America, if they could clean up the school yard drug trade they would eliminate half of the countries drug problem

Answer 13

FEDUP: Please read your source again.



I will give you a free one here becuase your a liberal and we all know how one minded they think.



"Bush official promotes random drug testing in schools"



This is the headline, lets break it down.



"Bush Offcial" This means that some one, not Bush!



"Bush Official promotes" This means that some one, in the white house, thinks its a good idea.



I'm really scared if this is how the liberal party works and thinks.

Answer 14

Republicans want the government to be in every aspect of our lives. What happened to the party of Lincoln?

Answer 15

Because illegal immigrant bring in disease and infection that should have been check by the US Custom office.

Answer 16

I've gotta wonder how he'd do on such a test.

Answer 17

I think people on welfare should be drug tested if they fail they lose benefits and kids.

Answer 18

He should start with his daughters

Answer 19

wtf? thats a GOOD thing unless YOUR doing drugs

I DONT WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL WITH DRUGIES